My wife and I love this place. It continues to be our favorite restaurants in St. Louis. The presentation is appealing to the eyes and is followed with amazing flavor. We have never had anything we have not loved. The scallops are amazing. Going on a Sunday for the trio and sitting at the open windows with wine is a great experience you won't regret.
(5)
Max M.
Great dining spot. Good place. Attractive if sometimes loud room. Very good business lunch establishment. Food comes out fresh and quick. 1hour lunch. Wine list is decent. Particularly love their salmon flatbread. Tasty and fresh. Salads are quite nice. Caesars is crisp with a lovely dressing. Any seafood entree is very nice. We enjoy el fresco dining weather permitting. The staff is well trained and quite friendly. Service is crisp and professional. They go out of their way to make sure you're satisfied. The owner is an absolute gentleman who truly appreciates your business. Terrific food. Maybe a little pricey if on a budget. But well worth the expense.
(4)
Taylor L.
I want to start out by saying that the service was great and by no means is my two star review a reflection of poor waiting etc. However, the food was another story. Although the presentation was solid the flavor lacked finesse. first: my oysters were not shelled properly, and had grit and pieces of shell on top of them. To make matters worse, they were fishy and rather deflating, which was annoying because i love that juicy burst that comes with a plump oyster. Therefore, I was not surprised when I received my next course. I order the yellowtail civiche, which lacked that wonderful fresh fish taste. In addition, the sliced avocado, which should have complimented the fish with its smooth texture, was hard as a rock. I showed the server and he apologized and regretfully admitted that they did have any ripe avocado! (im sorry what?)...then dont serve a dish when each of the components are not up to appropriate standards. That dish was $14 so find some damn ripe avocados! My branzino as well as the vegetables were chard. They had a propane taste that was rather revolting (not that yummy burnt flavor). Moreover, the branzino sat atop a bed of cous cous that was slathered in butter... If you are relying on butter to make a dish taste good, then you lack solid chef skills. I always prefer the simple drizzle of high quality EVOO to enhance by food, not a pound of stomach churning greasey butter. I would like to finish my review by saying that I not order a dessert as I had a terrible stomach ache, (even after specifically choosing light menu items). Dont go here unless you have no taste buds and want to be around a very old age group. PASS
(2)
Chris X M.
It's surprising how few seafood restaurants St. Louis has, but this is one of the best. Friendly service, fresh seafood and a moderately dressy atmosphere make this place a winner in Downtown Clayton. Most dishes are somewhat simple in preparation, but the food is tasty and fresh and prices are not too high. Good for business dinner, couples or groups of friends.
(4)
Carolina R.
This is the second time I've been for dinner at Oceano bistro, and on this occasion we invited a foreign visiting professor, expecting to give him a nice impression on his stay. We were given the worst table of the place, in the middle of the way, with people walking by us all the time. It felt as if that the table was put there to accomodate extra diners on an overbooked night. The only table in the middle of the way in the whole restaurant, and it was ours. Bummer. While diners at other tables were provided with bread and olive oil, we just were asked our orders and that was basically all the service we received all night. We ate our food, and it was good, hence the stars, but could not wait to get out of there without hurrying our guest. My husband and I may sound a little paranoid, but we shared the suspicion that getting awful table assignments two times in a row has something to do with "booking while having a latino name". How come everyone else gets a cozy nook and we end up in the middle of the corridor? ... Just saying. In the interest of social science, we might try booking a third time ;) cheers!
(2)
LB T.
The window seats are the best in town! Have been seated right away both times with no reservations. Great place for a nice night out with girlfriends! The food has always been exceptional. Crab cakes are a zesty appetizer & stuffed with meat. We always order scallops & a salmon entree. Haven't been disappointed yet! So much I want to try, these reviews are making me hungry!
(4)
Annie M.
Valentine's Day my husband and I, along with another couple visited Oceano Bistro for a nice romantic dinner in a beautiful environment. We had 8:45 dinner reservations and we were seated at 8:55. The server took our order about 5 minutes after we were seated. Three of us ordered the same entree, pan roasted chicken and the fourth person ordered grilled salmon.After sitting and waiting for over an hour, we were informed that they had sold out of the pan roasted chicken. Of course, we weren't pleased by this news as three of us had ordered this entree. We also had 11:00 movie tickets, so there wasn't time to order and eat anything else as it was already 10:10. Needless, to say, we weren't very happy with this as we had just wasted an hour and a half and still didn't get dinner........or any type of rain check to come back again. I contacted the owner, Amer, on Monday, Feb. 16th to apprise him of what had transpired on that Saturday. Immediately, he was very apologetic and offered, without hesitation, to have the four of us return for free dining. He took my name and contact info and said I could make reservations whenever its convenient. We returned this past Saturday, Feb. 28th and all I can say is WOW!!!!! Amer is definitely a man of his word. We had a superb dining experience from the moment we entered the restaurant and he came to our table to greet us. The food is delicious and expertly prepared. The atmosphere was very pleasant and our server, Simon, was the best!!!!! This is definitely a restaurant that I highly recommend, not only for its excellent array of fine food choices, but also for the outstanding customer service.....totally world class. We will definitely return.
(5)
Stephanie R.
SUNDAY BRUNCH IS AMAZING HERE when you want a splurge. Also I had a small dinner party here with about 15 guests and we used the covered porch area and it was great. The food and service were both really good. I think the decor here is their worst quality. It looks like a chain of corporate hotels' lobby area with a bar rather than an upscale restaurant.
(4)
Victor L.
This by far is my most favorite seafood restaurant in Saint Louis. I have been here 4+ times and can say that the service and food are always superb. Here is a quick list of what I've had and what I think Bistro Mussels: I like these so much that I've tried replicating them at home. I've done no justice. Served in a large bowl, enough to comfortably satisfy 2 while waiting for the main entree. They are light, fresh, and the bruschetta adds a lovely saltiness to bring everything together. You'll want to save the white wine sauce the mussels are served in to dip your extra bread into. Blue Point Oysters: I always think that oysters are good if they are cleaned and served correctly. These blue points from the Northeast were cold when I got them and I didn't have to deal with any shell fragments. Great in my book. Use the cocktail sauce and cucumber mignonette sparingly because the blue points are already so perfect on their own Sauteed Warm Water Sea Bass: An overcooked fish will make any foodie sad. Oceano Bistro cooks the sea bass perfectly. The garnish and light sauce do not overpower, but rather complement the natural sweetness of the fish itself (corn). They give a generous portion and the risotto as a base is a nice touch too. One of the pricer dishes on the menu but well worth it! Grilled Jumbo Sea Scallops: I've gotten these twice. The first time was perfect, the second time was a little interesting. When the chefs make these perfectly, all 4 sea scallops (1/2 pound) cut like butter. At first it doesn't seem like 4 scallops will be satisfactory at all but they do in fact fill a stomach quite nicely. The scallops are served clean with a nice white truffle, butter emulsion that keeps you licking your lips all night. The second time I had these scallops they were cooked perfectly but the sear on them was bitter. I'd like to think that the grill wasn't cleaned perfectly. I was able to cut off the bitter parts and still enjoy my meal. Lobster Risotto: This is the only dish I've had here that I do not think is worth its price. The lobster was cooked wonderfully but there was not much of it. The flavors were great but I cannot justify ordering an almost seafood-less risotto at a seafood restaurant. Try this after you've tried everything else! Small dishes from the A la Carte menu: Nice little touches. Nothing to rave about but the sweet corn and asparagus risotto ($5) is worth a taste if you aren't already getting the sea bass. When a person says they love this place, they aren't trying to fit in- it really is that good! Lastly, the service as I said is wonderful. All the servers know the wine list by heart. They also know which wine will go best with the entree of your choice.
(5)
MyongHi S.
I dined here last night for Clayton Restaurant Week for the first time. Really cozy ambiance in the main dining room. The service was good but a bit dry (which tends to happen at higher-end restaurants) and the food was great. I ordered the Arancini for my appetizer and the Beef Medallions for my entree. Both were delicious. Portions for the dessert were tiny for Restaurant Week, however. I ordered the bread pudding and it was incredible, just small. I would definitely go back to dine again.
(4)
Philip R.
First time going to Oceano. Found it on here and was by far the best seafood restaurant I have ever gone to. Not just in St Louis but ever. Staff was wonderful. Food was extremely fresh. Flown in daily from the cost. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Sandy M.
In the interest of full disclosure, I went during Clayton's restaurant week and took advantage of their 3 course meal. I did, however, read over the menu to see what else they had to offer. I guess I'm just used to Bristol, with their selection of fresh fish as well as menu staples. The Oceano menu seemed extremely limited in comparison. We both started out with the crab cakes, which were awesome. Crispy on the outside and lovely fresh crab on the outside. Fresh bread was delivered tableside with oil for dipping. I had the crab risotto (what can I say, I'm a crab fan). I'm not sure if it was the restaurant week portion of if it was normal for the dish, but I found it sadly lacking in both crab meat and flavor. My dinner companion had the sea bass, which he enjoyed. This too came on top of a bed of risotto. For dessert we both went with the phyllo-wrapped brownie topped with ice cream. Delicious, hands down the best part of the meal. They were tiny (everything in restaurant week is just a "sample") and left us wanting another one! The taste more than made up for the fact that the phyllo was difficult to cut through and made a mess. The restaurant itself was attractive and clean, with an abundance of servers to make sure your water glass never went below half and dirty plates didn't linger on the table. Overall, it wasn't bad. If I lived in Clayton I'd go back. However, I live about 2 minutes from Bristol and in comparison Oceano just wasn't worth the drive.
(3)
Steph W.
I've been here twice and both times the selection was extremely good. The food is definitely pricey and the portions are rather small. The service is friendly but a tad slow. I would recommend wine with the cuisine to top it off. The music wasn't loud so it was nice to hangout and hear my girlfriends. I've had the Seabass Riscotto and would recommend it.
(4)
Alice S.
A girlfriend and I spent a leisurely lunchtime at Oceano and had a wonderful time. The atmosphere was quiet, yet busy and we were afforded the privacy and time we requested, without ever feeling hurried. The server helped us choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and we were impressed with the wine list. My fresh trout was delicious, with a side of spinach which was cooked perfectly and without a morsel of garlic, as per my liking. Oceano is not a cheap date, but the service, atmosphere and fare are well worth the indulgence.
(5)
Henry T.
Oceano has changed ownership and we noticed a lot of the servers were new tonight. Also the salads had a lot of wilted lettuce leaves. The quality of the food since the ownership change has become hit or miss. Tonight I had the Sea Bass and it was the worst I have eaten at this restaurant, tasted odd and too fishy, and not quiet warm enough. I need to find another restaurant, but there are not a lot of seafood places in St. Louis. Maybe they would try to improve if they had more competition.
(2)
Carolyn T.
I absolutely love Oceano. It is my father's go-to restaurant and I couldn't be happier to receive invites from him time and time again. The food at Oceano is delicious. I would be happy to give it five stars if not for the odd service at times. On a few occasions, we've had some servers who were less than professional; one server spoke so quickly that no one at our table (seven people!) could understand him. We kept asking him to repeat everything and he still was talking at the speed of light. The food however, more than makes up for the iffy service. I try my best to eat a clean diet, but from time to time, I will partake in the Kobe beef sliders. Sooooo good! They are a traditional slider complete with cheese, shredded lettuce, and a light spreading of mayo. Yum. They taste like heaven. Seriously. I always order the Bistro Market Salad. So good! It is a nice spring mix coated with a light balsamic vinaigrette, onions, tomatoes, shoestring potatoes, and the BEST gorgonzola crumbles. I highly recommend it. The fish at Oceano is crazy fresh and so very tasty. A couple of days ago, I ordered the Halbut; I made some adjustments and had it cooked plain (no lemon butter) and had it served with a side of sauteed long green beans instead of the vegetable ragout. I wanted to taste the ragout, but I didn't want the extra calories. The fish was cooked perfectly! It had a nice sear on the outside making it a little crispy and the beans were crisp and cooked to perfection. All in all, I had a wonderfully tasty and filling meal. You know it's a great meal when it still tastes fabulous even when you take out the best part: the butter! If you're looking for a delicious seafood dish, try almost anything on the menu. I've had the scallops, the trout, and the halibut. All were fabulous. Jon recently had the Spiced Big Eye Tuna and he said it was great; covered in a pepper crust and seared rare, he thought it was the perfect mixture of fresh seafood with a little bit of spice. His only problem with the dish was that the slice of brie that was supposed to be served with the Tuna was about the size of his thumbnail. Given the fact that he's a man that loves his cheese, he was a little disappointed. Overall this is a great place. If you haven't been to Oceano, give it a try ASAP! It is a little on the pricey side, but it's WAY worth it.
(4)
Mark R.
It's seafood in Saint Louis, after all; even their army of servers and well-oiled machine service can't work miracles. The kitchen just doesn't step up. I've ordered swordfish and found it dry (understandable), a lobster risotto with barely any lobster (less so), and flavorless scallops (sin!). A ceviche that came as part of Clayton's Restaurant Week was excellent, although that might've been a generous salting at work. It's fine enough if someone else is paying, but if the decision hasn't been made yet I'd steer people in other directions.
(3)
Lindsay A.
I would have loved to try this place, but when my husband and I arrived for a late dinner date at 8:30 p.m., we were told there was a 45 minute wait despite our reservation, and would we mind waiting. The reception was less than friendly, so we opted to move on. Doubt we'll be back...
(1)
Brian B.
I was profoundly disappointed with my first (and probably last) experience with Oceano. On the positive side, the location is great, and the restaurant is a vibrant scene, teeming with people and activity, while still not too noisy to carry on a conversation. My friends and I began the evening at the long, sweeping bar, and found the service at the bar friendly. A good selection of drinks, but the tonic in my G&T was so flat that even the lime couldn't rescue the flavor. Appetizers were good, but not spectacular. The salad was fresh, but a bit plain. It was with the entree, however, that Oceano lost me. I should preface this by saying that I am somewhat of a seafood connoisseur, and I am very familiar with the flavors and textures of pretty much all of the consumable sea creatures. As such, I naturally gravitated towards their risotto with scallops, mussels, and prawns. When the plate arrived, however, I was overcome by a very pungent odor emanating from the dish. It was so strong that even the table nearby could smell it. Something was not right with the dish. A little investigating revealed that the scallops were the culprit. I am not usually one to send food back, but this was so off that I was concerned that the food would make me ill. The server was very nice about it, and took the dish back. But, when she returned, I was given the same plate, same risotto, and instead of removing the scallops, they removed the mussels. The aroma was still there. This was a bit upsetting for a few reasons. For one, I had clearly identified the scallops as the bad item, and my companions agreed. And secondly, if one item in the dish is bad, then the entire thing should be replaced. As it stands, they just gave me the same plate, risotto still swimming in the broth of the bad seafood! The server was nice enough to check in and noticed I hadn't eaten anything. I pressed again that it was the scallops and not the mussels, and she trotted back into the kitchen. She returned 5 minutes later with a new plate of scallops! Seriously??? I know that Oceano prides itself on its scallops, but to have that pride get in the way of admitting that they had a bad batch is simply preposterous and unacceptable. That they wouldn't listen to the customer who is supposed to eat the food was very frustrating. As it stands, I left Oceano with a bad taste in my mouth... figuratively, of course... no way was I going to eat bad seafood. My recommendation is to avoid this establishment.
(2)
Lucy P.
We visited Oceano for Clayton's restaurant week. The place was packed when we got there and we had to wait a bit for our reservation but that was ok. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, the place had an open, airy feel to it. Our server was very nice but not in your face every five minutes, which we like. We each had a chunk of bread served with a yummy olive oil swirled with a zesty blend of something, maybe roasted red peppers? Either way, it was good. We shared the seafood chowder and hamachi ceviche. Both were very good but the ceviche definitely won out. It was light and citrusy and the perfect taste to get us ready for the main event. Next came our entrees, and in my opinion, the best part of our meal. My husband had the shellfish sofrito and gobbled it up like no other. I'm not a huge fan of shellfish so I let him go for it while I enjoyed my delicious salmon. I am not even a huge seafood lover (trust me, I almost wussed out and went with the filet) but this was fantastic. It came perfectly charred with a small garnish of shaved fennel and granny smith apples that added a crunch to each bite. It was served atop a crispy bacon wrapped arugula cake that was awesome! I literally cleaned my plate, felt a bit piggish but we all know that time in the meal where getting a to go box is pointless. We ended our meal with the creme brulee and bread pudding. I would agree with another reviewer that this was probably the only not so awesome part of the meal. The vanilla creme brulee was tasty but not quite crackly enough. Part of the fun is busting through the top layer with your spoon! The chocolate didn't really do it for me, I may have even left a bite behind. Greg really enjoyed the bread pudding but I thought it would have been even tastier and a beautiful presentation if it were a bit thicker. Overall, we would definitely try this place again, especially when we are in the mood for some unique seafood flavors. Thank you Oceano!
(4)
Andy K.
This place is great. We go here often and are never disappointed. We love the mussels and the tuna apps. Any fish entree is well prepared and fantastic. You can't go wrong here
(5)
Mohammed A.
The place is amazing I don't mind eating there everyday!!the service is great and the food is so delicious!!
(5)
Sasha K.
Not great. My sliders were salty, the chowder had bones in it, and the halibut was nothing special. The waiter was nice. I wouldn't recommend it, though. It was also pricey (27$ for a small fish portion). The cost would be OK if it were good...
(2)
Michael B.
I was relatively unimpressed with Oceano, and it's not because I don't like seafood. The restaurant to me was just kind of "blah." It lacked the trendy, hot spot vibe that I envisioned and in place was an old-fashioned italian "Olive Garden" look and feel. The food was great but pricy. The wine list was notable but quite expensive. Overall, I wouldn't go back. Trust me, my review won't hurt sales. The place was crowded with a much older clientele (ready to spend a lot more money than me). If you're in the mood for fish, I don't know any other direction to point you. If you're in the mood for anything else, I'd recommend somewhere other than Oceano Bistro.
(2)
Judi N.
Food was wonderful, service was quick and correct, atmosphere was chic, price was a little high but not bad compared to equal restaurants. Will recommend and go again.
(4)
Melissa C.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Two fantastic experiences and man did we test them. New Year's Eve and Clayton restaurant week. On New Year's Eve, my husband and I went to Oceano in a party of 8. We were running 5 minutes late so we valeted the car (valet was ready and waiting) and ran in to find our party seated promptly at reservation time. This place caters to those with gluten allergies and intolerances so it earns a bit of a plus in my book ahead of time. The service was outstanding on New Year's. Not a half empty water glass to be found. The food was very good and the only reason I don't say excellent is because both husband and I noticed that our entrees could have used a bit more seasoning. (After our second visit we think this was just due to the busy night). I enjoyed the bistro market salad and cod special and my husband had the ceviche appetizer and lobster tails. The rolls that are served before dinner are very good and are served with an olive oil for dipping that has some red pepper sauce in it that adds so much. I also had a bite of the bread pudding dessert and it was amazing. Everyone at the table left very happy. I made reservations for my mother-in-law's birthday not realizing it was during Clayton restaurant week. It worked out though because some of the party ordered off of the special menu. Again, with 3 in that party having celiac disease, we SO appreciate the clear labeling and catering to them. We were seated again promptly at our reservation time. For appetizers, my husband and I shared the ceviche which Ryan said was actually better than on NYE and he thought maybe they had forgotten the salt on NYE. I really enjoyed that ceviche which was in thin slices instead of a diced ceviche. Ryan had the full-sized sofritto and ate every last bit of it. The mussels were cooked nicely and not chewy, the shrimp was perfectly done. He was a happy man. The other two gf members of our party had the half sized (restaurant week sized) sofritto and also enjoyed it. Other entrees tried that night: scallops with alfredo fondue, tuna, and filet. I had the scallops which were done perfectly and the fondue/cheese sauce that came with it was out of this world. I did get to try a bite of the tuna and the spices they crusted it with were really flavorful. My favorite thing at Oceano is their spinach and bacon side dish which you need to order a la carte. It is phenominal. I know, it's spinach, but just try it. Several desserts were tried as well, a chocolate and vanilla creme brulee pairing that was part of the restaurant week menu, the phillo wrapped brownie with ice cream and the Serendipity ice cream sampler. Again, no complaints, only compliments. The decor is simple and elegant and pretty much what you would expect from a Clayton restaurant. The food and the service do the talking and I will be back to hear more.
(5)
Nicole H.
I love this place. The happy hour is great, and Mary is one of the best bartenders around. They have great food and for midwest seafood this is my go to place. Mackenzie is also awesome. The food is good but the service is what keeps us coming back.
(5)
Cletis H.
Went with group for a business dinner. Environment was comfortable for the group and the staff was helpful. Unfortunately they were out of 3 beers on the menu which made it awkward. I had the Sea Bass which was wonderful with an excellent presentation. I would go back again as the experience was positive overall.
I had a Hot Sauce coupon (remember those?) for OB and invited a former roommate out for a man-date. Things went so well, he's been hounding me for a second date...on the condition that we go to Oceano. That makes me kinda suspicious that what he really liked was the food and service, and not my sparking dinner conversation. He could easily be forgiven for using man-date as a pretext for going back to Oceano Bistro because the food was amazing, the service was sterling, and the ambiance creates a strong date-y atmosphere. After I rebuffed his requests, my former roommate brought his wife to Oceano and apparently had a lovely time...without me.
(4)
Brenda S.
Apparently, the grilled scallops are supposed to be "The Dish" here. We were not impressed with the scallops nor with the crab cakes which we ordered for appetizer. The service was ok, the server was not very personable nor friendly. If you're looking for great food, this is not the place to go.
(2)
Christy S.
I've been here 4 times or so. Great food and great service each time. It's usually busy with a lively crowd of both older and younger folks. The scallops are wonderful, and if you don't do seafood or aren't in the mood, their chicken entree is really great too. The side dishes are amazing as well. Not too dressy, not too casual. Just look nice, don't be a slob, and come hungry.
(4)
Rob C.
St. Louis needed a place like this. There aren't many options for an upscale seafood specialty place otherwise. It's in a great dining location (Clayton), and liked their seafood selection, but not every dish is a hit. Creme brulee desert was good.
(3)
Bret B.
A friend and I had dinner here on Sunday, November 13, and couldn't have been happier. We didn't have a reservation, but when we called, we were welcomed and told they'd accommodate us when we arrived. That's exactly what happened when we did arrive. We were interested in sharing some dishes to maximize flavor experiences and minimize calories, so we decided on the calamari and rock shrimp with tempura veggies as an appetizer, and then a special entree of the night plus roasted veggies. We came to this decision with the help of our excellent server who clearly wanted us to have a great evening. Wines by the glass are very diverse, and quite reasonable. We each enjoyed a glass to our taste that paired well with the food we had ordered. Now to discuss the food: Calamari-Rock shrimp-tempura vegetables: delicious and perfectly prepared with an amazing variety of veggies (including fennel!); perhaps a bit more seafood would have been nice, but we were happy. Entree: this special was a trio of seafoods: grilled salmon with a polenta cake, sea bass with mushroom risotto, and fried trout with a bit of salad. We split each of these, and still had plenty of food, and each of the trio tasted excellent (tiny quibbles: the salmon could have been cooked a bit less, and everything needed some salt and pepper). Grilled vegetables: asparagus, portabellas, carrots, squash, fennel, green beans and more were on this platter. They were the perfect accompaniment to our fish. A couple of the carrot slices were cut too thickly, and were therefore uncooked, and their balsamic-brie dipping sauce did not contribute anything, but this is minor. We left the restaurant both sated and happy. We WILL return.
(5)
Amanda T.
I often go here for happy hour, their appetizers are half off! My definite favorites are their prawns and grilled vegetables. The sauce that comes with both I could literally just eat with a nice baguette. Recently I went there for my birthday, if you sign up to be an advantage member you get a free entree for you birthday! I had a few things that evening. The chef's selection of oysters were fresh and delicious, I personally needed more fresh grated horseradish for the cocktail sauce. My mother had the caesar salad which was perfectly dressed and not overly salty like most. The fried capers added a twist. For our main courses, I ordered the lobster risotto and my mother ordered the scallops. The lobster risotto was not as good as I expected. I could tell that it sat for a bit before it was brought to our table the lobster was nice and buttery. The scallops were AMAZING. I don't quite know how they cooked them but they just melt in your mouth, they are cooked so perfectly. Overall, Oceano Bistro is as good as it gets. There's a reason why myself and others keep going back there. The food is good and service is great also.
(5)
Mina I.
This is one of those places I could eat every night if I could but I suppose my 8-5 job and my grad. classes get in the way but besides that, I always get a bottle of their Riesling to start off with and get the wild salmon... that fish always just melts in my mouth! The last time the bf and I came to dine here, I got what I always get and he got the tuna and he absolutely loved it! It is pretty easy to miss since it's on a corner but it is a place you must eat if you are in the Clayton area!
(4)
Anthony S.
I'm basing this review off my 2nd visit. The first of which was fantastic in all aspects. Service was great, our martinis were done very well so ut was a good start. We started with the ceviche appetizer which is a bit of a fusion between a yellowtail carpacio and ceviche citrus flavors. It was good but didn't quite have that fresh abundant flavor I expect from a ceviche dish. My girlfriend had the scallops which were fantastic, great flavor and wonderfully cooked. I had the sea bass which we were informed was one of their most popular dishes and I'm A. A huge sea bass fan and B. Grew up on the ocean in Sarasota on fresh seafood so I have a strong grasp of what I'm looking for. My dish left me dissapointed in fact I kept asking myself if itnwas even sea bass I'd been served as the texture was nothing like any sea bass I'd ever had I'd typically say sea bass is very light and buttery and just falls apart as soon as you touch a fork to it. This fish seemed much more dense and heavy and not remotely the delicate flavor I'm accustomed to. The flavor was in fairness quite good. And the risotto OK but nothing special. I'm not sure we'll return given the prices compared to what we got. Maybe if we stick to the scallops...
(3)
Drayton H.
Just had dinner here last Thursday, and it was wonderful as always. They always accommodate my request to sit at the window. I also love to bring my kids as the kids menu coloring sheet (crayons included) is great-my kids love the Kobe beef sliders. We brought my mother in law who has a severe MSG allergy, and I am pleased to say that none of their entrees have MSG. We loved the rainbow trout and lobster risotto. Some of the other reviews said it didn't have enough lobster, but ours had two claws plus tail meat-each bite shared amongst the table had lobster in it! Our favorite part were the huge chocolate chip cookies with ice cream for dessert. The phyllo wrapped brownie was also divine!! Great place to take visiting family-service is always excellent and very reasonably priced when you have a large group to feed. Highly recommend eating here!!
(4)
Sue J.
Since its opening, I have been to Oceano several times over the years. I like the place because it's semi-causal for Clayton that I can walk in if I'm in the mood for fish/seafood. However, I've always been hesitant to write a review about it because it's one of those places that I'm ambivalent about. The seafood is cooked really well but the flavors and accompaniments are kinda boring. Nothing inventive or spectacular. Also, I went just recently, I'm surprised that since it's opening, the menu has pretty much stayed the same for all these years. For example, they have been serving the salmon, trout and scallops the same way since it's opening. You can do so much with those items and if you going to be one of the only seafood restaurants in town, you need change it up and showcase your seafood in a variety of preparations.
(3)
Sarah S.
I enjoyed my shellfish sofrito. I didn't appreciate the upsell on every single thing our table ordered. The atmosphere is fine. The group tables leave you fighting to NOT be the one stuck in the middle with the table at your stomach and a pole between your legs. The server was fine (other than the upsell) and the prices, while high, seemed reasonable for seafood.
(3)
Aaron S.
Oh, Oceano - I really wanted to like you. I wanted to like you so much, that I was willing to overlook my, "only eat seafood in states that border oceans" rule. I had been waiting for the right time to visit, and when I recently found a $40 for $18 offer on a local foodie website, I happily pulled the trigger. Wow, was I disappointed. For starters, my girlfriend and I shared our dinner with several fruit flies. It wasn't just our table either. I noticed another table swatting flies as well. I was willing to overlook this, because minus the flies, the atmosphere in Oceano really is quite nice. Let's move on to the drinks. Our server took our drink order professionally enough. My girlfriend ordered a cranberry and Absolut. When the drink arrived it was mostly Absolut. The server knew the drink didn't look right, because when she set it down she said she could add more cranberry if it were too strong. It definitely needed it. Rather than take the drink back and try again, the server brought a second glass with cranberry juice in it. So now, we have to play bartender and mix our own drink at the table. We began our meal with two appetizers - oysters on the half shell, and marinated tomatoes and halloumi. The oysters were fine. Not much control a restaurant has over raw shellfish, just buy good quality and put it on the tray with some ice. I had no complaints. The other appetizer was an interesting dish. In addition to the halloumi and tomatoes, it contained grilled watermelon, arugala, and some aged balsamic. The dish had a lot going on. I couldn't understand why the tomatoes got top billing, when there were two giant pieces of grilled watermelon on the plate. Anyway, if there are any would be BBQ chefs out there - don't grill watermelon, it doesn't taste good. For dinner, I ordered the Sauteed Herb Crusted Sea Bass. No complaints about the emulsion or risotto, it was quite good, but the fish is where things started to go wrong. If the name of your establishment contains the word Ocean, the fish had better be stellar. Sea Bass should be a touch on the firm side - this was not. The fish was almost soggy. The flavor was OK, but the texture was way off. My sea bass was also missing its Herb Crusted jacket. My girlfriend ordered the Rainbow Trout. First, the fish was bland. Second, it was lightly pan fried. Nowhere in the menu or in the server's description of the dish was it mentioned that the trout would be pan fried. Had she known, she would have ordered something different. The flavor of the fried batter overwhelmed the already bland fish. Given our experience with the meal, we decided to skip dessert. Our server brought the bill, and this is where things really went downhill. My coupon clearly stated that it could not be combined with other coupons or offers. I understand, and it makes perfect sense. The coupon, however, didn't say anything about method of payment. I chose to pay with a gift certificate. The server came over and said that it was not allowed. I asked to see the manager, who came over and explained that a "gift certificate" is technically an "offer" and that it was the rules of the coupon - his hands were tied. I felt like I was arguing the definition of "is" with Ken Starr. When it became obvious that the manager was not going to accept the gift certificate (something which Oceano had already collected the money on when it was purchased, mind you), we paid and left. If it had just been one of the previously mentioned grievances, I could have justified a second visit. But, after mediocre service, poorly prepared food, and an argument with management, I am content letting Oceano be the big fish that got away.
(2)
Raheel L.
This weekend, I dined at the piscine's establishment, with few places across St. Louis claiming to have fresh sea food, I choice the "Oceano Bistro." Oceano Bistro is parallel to one of my favorite contemporary American cuisine in Clayton "Cardwell's at Clayton," on the north brentwood. The ambiance of Bistro is warm and has a welcoming feel, the attire recommendation is casual yet formal. The noise level is moderate enough to carry on the conversations. But let's get to the part that deserve a little more attention, yes, the menu. "Oh, and if you see any crab cakes, get your hands on some because I love the crab cakes." Yes, you guessed it right, that is a Vince Vaughn quote from 2005 comedy film "Wedding Crashers." The film makes quite a few references to crab cakes, and what's not to love about crab cakes? They're phenomenal. And speaking of crab cakes, the appetizer round started off with, you guessed it right, crab cakes. And they were ambrosial - two crab cakes with shitakes, green apple and watercress with lemongrass chile aioli. The lemongrass chile aioli was acerbic to gustatory, and it went phenomenally with the cakes. Our second appetizer included, Bistro Mussels finished off with white wine, shallot, and tomato/roasted garlic mariniere with bruscetta, and they were palatable. Now moving on the the entree round. When out dinning at piscivorous institution, all things eaten should be sea related. So I ordered Poeuget Sound Monkfish for my entree round, it was lean white fish, saporific with lobster flavor. It was succulent, and the texture of the dish was enchanting. Some other entree recommended were - jumbo sea scallops, trout, and few more which I can't recall, and we all were happy with our food here. Some salads were tried, they didn't turned out to be great, I personally didn't ordered any salad, and nor did I order any desserts. I am not big on desserts, I always skip that part so I wouldn't know what to recommend to finish off the meal. Overall, the Oceano has great food, the service is good. On a busy night, expect it to be slower than usual and little loud. Oh ya, it is pricey, it's not your neighborhood Red Lobster prices, or the food. I don't speak for the other reviews and their experiences here, but as far as I am concern, having visited this place before, and again this weekend, I will visit it again.
(4)
Glenn M.
This restaurant was highly recommended, so when in St. Louis, I made a point of stopping for lunch. My first warning should been the low proportion of seafood items on the lunch and dinner menus. I ordered the "Maryland crabcakes" for an appetizer. It was an insult to any Marylander. It didn't even resemble any kind of crabcake that I'd ever had. No strands of crabmeat, let alone lump or backfin crabmeat. Was entirely filler. As my mother, who was with me exclaimed "this is mush!" Would have not even qualified as poorly made deviled crab. Was shockingly bad!. We politely returned it (our waitress was very accommodating) and ordered fritto misto. It was properly fried (not greasy), but the only pieces of seafood in it were obviously scraps from other dishes. Incredibly tiny morsels! Then we had the lobster risotto--another disappointment. The flavor of the risotto was delicious, albeit slightly over salted (and I'm a person who usually loves salty dishes more than most). The shocker was the sparse amount of lobster. Only about 4 or small bites per full serving. Again, shocking! Used to upscale restaurants in the Washington, DC area, I'm used to small servings, but not with a such a stingy amount of the key ingredient. Also, the lobster had no flavor that I could discern. Maybe the problem was that we were ordering a dinner item at lunchtime. But even so... Finally for dessert I had an apple cobbler. It was an interesting take on this standard dish, but not particularly delicious. Just interesting components that tasted merely okay. The only outstanding quality was the high price, which was high by standards in topnotch DC restaurants. I must have it an off day, otherwise I don't understand the popularity of this place. St. Louisans must be desperate for upscale restaurants if they are flocking to this poor imitation of one--and an overpriced one at that. And as for good seafood, I certainly couldn't find it. Why not head a few miles west to Bristols?
(2)
Gaetano A.
Went here for brunch last Sunday with a "Meet Up" group of young couples new to STL. I had an omelette, and it was good. Our waitress was really nice, too. I'd give this 4 stars, but to me it's overpriced.
(3)
Mary J.
One eats here but does not dine. Just good to know that walking in. Early dinner, w. my husband. Full lively bar. The hostess wanted to seat us in a number of not so nice tables, the place was almost empty, like why dont they just walk us to the nicest booth? anyway we got there. He had the clam chowder and liked it. I had the roasted pepper soup w. goat cheese, too salty not very flavorful, goat cheese ordinary. We asked what that swirly oil was that they put on the table: it was the color of very diluted tea. The waitress said it was olive oil mixed with "salad oil" : I asked what oil is that? she said vegetable oil. We asked for just evoo. What came back was barely any better, no aroma and NO taste whatsoever. Dull, dead and embarassing. What person who called themselves chef?? would put that stuff on a table. My oysters from VA were excellent and freshly scucked. I saved the sauce for my sliders: cooked rare as ordered. But a supppper thin slice of ordinary rugby cheese on top. Simple slivered salad covered w. nice sweet and butter pickles. Hus had mussels which were nice. I think stick to the fresh seafood here, less intervention from the kitchen seems best. The wait staff was very good.
(2)
Cara B.
OK, I really don't care for the whole Clayton "scene" or whatever, but I loved Oceano. I thought the food and service was excellent, so I've got no complaints. I'm basing my review solely on the fact that really good, fresh seafood is hard to come by in St. Louis, and at my first visit to Oceano, it rocked. I didn't come here looking for a "trendy scene" or anything - I just came for good seafood. My friend and I hit up lunch here on a Saturday, which wasn't very busy. We both ordered a glass of wine, and the server brought the bottle over for us to taste before pouring us an entire glass - smart! Maybe it's just me, but I've never been to a restaurant before where they did that. Highly appreciated, and once again, smart. We started with the crabcake, which was awesome! The lemongrass-chili aioli that it sat on worked perfectly with the crabcake. I had the lemon-crab risotto, which was phenomenal! Seriously, I've been having dreams about it since. The lemon flavor was really delicate, and the risotto was so creamy. It was awesome! My friend had the grouper sandwich, which was surprisingly good - much better than you'd expect a group sandwich to be. All the flavors and textures there worked really well. We had no complaints with the service, which was always there when we needed it, but never bothersome with checking on us too often. The entire staff was friendly and helpful. Overall, an awesome experience that will hopefully be the first of many to come!
(5)
Danielle R.
This restaurant is a great and rare mixture of a high end full service seafood restaurant combined with healthy local food. Everything was delicious and the waitress was knowledgeable about origins of the seafood and helpful with suggestions for the vegetarians in our group. The only negative is that there were no vegetarian entrees but there were plenty of appetizer and side dishes to choose from. I would recommend the chef put together a whole protein option for the vegetarian guests for this place to increase its billing as a veg friendly restaurant. The prices were more than reasonable for the quality of the food and service provided and most entrees were not served a la carte so you save on having to purchase sides. Overall there were no complaints whatsoever. The first Alaskan King Salmon of the season has just arrived so go there soon and enjoy.
(5)
Maureen H.
Had read good reviews and liked the look of the place, so tried a Sunday brunch. Our waitress was prompt and pleasant but our Mimosas seemed to be only orange juice. The shrimp in my egg dish was only the small popcorn and had very little flavor. My husband had a version of eggs Benedict that was also pretty flavorless. Portions were small as others noted, although I wouldn't mind if it was great food. It's the only time we've been there so hopefully that is not the norm, but we were disappointed.
(2)
Chris P.
Quite easily our favorite restaurant in St. Louis. Friendly staff and wonderful food. The Prawn app with the char grilled bread is spectacular. Also a big fan of the salmon BLT for lunch or the salmon atop a bacon wrapped potato pancake.
(5)
Tyler D.
Had high expectations for fresh seafood We got frozen crab legs...literally. Sent them back and they fixed it no problem More glitz than anything(it's Clayton I guess) Will drive to Bristol's next time
(2)
Natatia L.
I had mixed feelings about making a reservation here for the last dinner i was going to have with my parents before i returned to maryland (due to the mixed reviews on yelp) but it came highly recommended by a family friend so i decided to give it a try, and i'm so glad i did! maybe the mixed reviews are due to inconsistency on the restaurant's part but it was fantastic the night we went! i honestly can't think of a single thing to complain about, and that's saying a lot (don't dismiss me 'cause of all my 4 and 5 star reviews...i was yelping under my BF's account and i have no qualms about giving criticism when it's deserved). the restaurant itself is beautiful, offering a casual yet upscale atmosphere that is warm and welcoming. you don't have to dress up but you might feel too casual in a t-shirt and jeans (unless they're a nice t-shirt and jeans). our server, melissa, was really sweet and provided excellent service, even pouring my parents' hot water for them out of their little individual tea pots (i was a server, i know what a pain it is). they have a special seafood trio offering on sunday nights that includes smaller portions of three of their more popular dishes - sea scallops (2), salmon and sea bass - all on one plate and with their respective sauces/sides, for $25. i ordered the trio along with a cup of their daily soup, a cauliflower-potato bisque with crispy pancetta and fresh herbs which was DELICIOUS. i could have had a bowl of it with bread and been very satisfied. my dad also ordered the trio and my mom got the halibut off the regular menu. every single piece of seafood was seasoned and cooked perfectly, and the sauces and sides that were paired with each were also excellent. even the asparagus-corn lemon risotto that came with the sea bass was great, and i have VERY high standards for restaurant risotto. many many many bad experiences with restaurant risotto. the portions were perfect for all of us - i was just able to finish everything after having my cup of soup and my parents were "just right" when they were done. i've rarely seen my parents enjoy a meal so much or clean their plates so well! they also served their toasted rolls with olive oil swirled with harissa (n. african chili paste that apparently is the 'flavor' of the moment) which was an especially delicious addition to the standard bread+olive oil/butter at most restaurants. like i said, nothing to complain about...both my parents loved it, i loved it, and we will definitely be going back next time i'm in town. my parents enjoyed it so much they might not even wait for me! they'll probably go back for lunch sometime with friends...let's just hope it lives up to the expectations set by this first visit!
(5)
Munsok S.
this time around...it was much better. try the portobella mushrooms!!
(4)
Cee E.
I dined here about three weeks ago with my parents and beautiful girlfriend. The service was great....the food was even better and the owner came over and talked to us for a bit. We felt very welcomed and everyone was extremely satisfied upon leaving. I would highly recommend restaurant for anybody looking for an independent seafood joint.
(5)
Brice D.
Fried mixto was bad, salad was browning, sofrito was okay, crab cake was left half eaten, good sorbet.
(3)
Patrick N.
our first and only trip to oceano was on a friday night. we had a 7:30 reservation, and arrived a few minutes early. we checked in with the hostess, and proceded to wait 30-40 minutes to be seated. this can be frustrating, but if the food and service make up for it, i find this to be a forgivable sin, especially during peak hours on a firday night. what followed however, was a disappointing display of both service and cuisine. our server approached shortly after we were seated, and asked if we wanted to start with cocktails. we obliged, my wife ordered a cosmo, and i had one of their specialty mojitos. the server made a comment to me, making it clear he thought it was a femine drink, and he would never order it. he then said "give me a bud and a shot of jameson, and i am good to go." WTF, no one asked for your drink preference buddy. the drinks came, and they were both quite good. we still had not been served water, so we actually had to request some. at this time, we also order our appetizer, the kobe beef sliders. we sipped on our cocktails, and the sliders arrived about 8 minutes later. at this point we still do not have water, so i ask again, and am told they are low on water glasses, and he would have to go look for some. SERIOUSLY? how does this happen? we start on on the kobe sliders, and they actually turned out to be the highlight of the night. very very good. i should have just ordered a whole plate of these as my entree. finally, after the sliders, and before our entrees, we are brought water. i was having the salmon, so i ordered a glass of pinot noir. my wife asked the server for a wine to pair with her scallops, and his reply shocked us. he said he didn't know, as he does not drink wine, and then repeated his line about bud and jameson. this is a restaurant that serves dishes for $20+ al a carte, not exactly fine dining, but at this price point, it is inexcusable for the waiter to not be able to spit out a wine pairing for each dish. we have a decent enough wine knowledge to make the choice without help, and ordered her a glass of chardonnay. so the entrees arrive, and service aside, if they are good, the night will be salvadged. my salmon was not bad, but there was nothing special about it. i have cooked salmon that tasted just as good on my george foreman grill. my wifes scallops on the other hand, were awful. the only flavor either of us could detect was a burned flavor from the grill. they were still very tender, and in my opinion were not overcooked, they just had a very strong grill taste. as our waiter cleared our plates, he complained to us about the "shitty tip" he had received from a table near us that had just left. if the service he provided them was on the same level as what he provided us with, he certainly deserved it. we both ordered dessert, and i honestly dont remember what we had, so that should give you an idea of what i thought of them. overall, oceano made us wait for a table, wait for water, and provided us with poor service and lackluster food. we have no plans to return.
(2)
Tor B.
Hmmm.....Oceano Bistro, pehaps your ship has sailed! Just got home from dinner out at Oceano. I am not particularly picky about my dining experiences, but I do know the difference between good food, and something average. This as my first trip to Oceano, and I am not impressed. The "scene" was interesting, all the locals looking for a "see and be seen" opportunity. Not sure if I will go back. The food and service were not worth the trip.
(2)
Shaun A.
Let's face it, excellent seafood is tough to pull off in the midwest, especially if you prefer the saltwater variety. I may be a little biased hailing from the sunshine state though. Oceano makes a good attempt at putting together unique and tasty offerings...there were at least 3 items on the menu that caught my eye. For starters I had a bowl of their house made clam chowder that was "okay", though nothing that blew me away in terms of flavor. Looking back, I'd pass on the soup and have a bowl of Campbells at home instead. I ordered pan seared scallops and paired that with a mushroom & squash risotto which was probably some of the best I've ever had. Prices are a little high for quality/quantity of food, though the presentation was excellent (presentation probably lending itself to the higher price). I will say that service at the restaurant is stellar, the staff are very attentive and quick on their feet.
(3)
Lindsay S.
The service was terrible-- very slow and we had to ask for EVERYTHING. Moreover, my meal-- grouper sandwich and chowder-- was thoroughly bland. The affordability at lunch of this otherwise expensive restaurant gave it a few bonus points.
(3)
Juliet R.
This restaurant came highly recommended, and my mom will be mad at me for this review, but the truth hurts. We started with the Ahi roll which was tasty, creative...a hit. Caesar salads are my fave, so I ordered it and was disappointed at the almost sweet quality of the dressing. Give me white anchovies and lemon, please, I don't want a sweet caesar. The highlight the meal were the grilled scallops with truffle beurre fondue. I ordered a side of spinach sauteed with garlic and organic bacon (sounds delicious, right?), but tasted as if it had cooked in day-old bacon grease. I couldn't stomach more than one bite. Aside from the food, the ambience was great, we had superb service, but really I'm all about food. I'll take a snotty waiter anytime if the meal makes up for it. Not the other way around. Sorry to say I won't be back and I wouldn't recommend spending your hard earned benjamins here.
(2)
Cheryl E.
Had the halibut. All ingredients were very fresh. "Cleaned the plate good."
(4)
Raya K.
Came here for lunch about a month back and had the snapper fish tacos. They had an overly powerful spice rub on them and even that couldn't mask the fishiness of the fish. For being a seafood restaurant I would hope that they could at least have fresh fish to serve.
(2)
Aaron J.
The Oceano Bistro is one of those restaurants when people ask, "where should I go for... brunch, lunch, or diner " the answer that you can give them when they ask one of those meals and refer them to the Oceano Bistro. In reality though, I have only been to the Oceano Bistro for brunch and lunch. Though, from my times eating there and being more than pleased with my meals, I would venture to assume that their dinner is quite tasty as well. The last time that I was there was for lunch. I had the Red Chile Rock Shrimp Chop Salad. It was wonderful. It had all the salad favorites plus prosciutto and hard cooked eggs. The salad was nice and tasty.
(4)
Margo C.
The food was wonderful - fresh, full of complexity, inventive but not self-consciously so, seasoned beautifully. The ambience subtle and charming. But the service! If I've ever been attended to by a more professional, personable and helpful server (Gary, I believe), I don't remember it. One of our party was vegan. The manager came up with some amazing options for her (usually they just say "Well..um....we can steam you some vegetables or something.) He, too, was personable and professional, as was every staff member we encountered from the valet on up. Portions were generous, menu diverse but not overwhelming (and the frito misto absolutely sublime.) I always expect that much-hyped restaurants won't live up to the chatter but this one exceeded it. More restaurants should hold themselves to this standard.
(5)
Matt L.
I was pleasantly surprised with what Oceano had to offer. Sure, the food wasn't perfect, but I think it was one of the best meals I've had since I arrived in St. Louis. The only issue I had was that there was a very strong aftertaste with the scallops...yes, I know that it's due to the wood that they use in the cooking process, but I think it ruins what are some otherwise great scallops (texture was perfect!). That's all I've got. Like it. Will go back.
(4)
Megan R.
Maybe its unfair to judge this place based on my experience there last August, but I'll never go back, and it left a lasting, terrible impression. First, the food - it was fine, nothing extraordinary, nothing special. The calamari appetizer was far too spicy. The entrees were bland and unexciting. I love good fish, but this just didn't do it for me. In Clayton, you can do far better at Cafe Napoli. The service was the real problem. A restaurant shouldn't expect people with reservations to sit outside (or on an unairconditioned open air area) in 100 degree heat without telling them in advance. The server should never ask patrons to stand up from their table so to make room for another table (not guests, the actual table) to get brought in, and it certainly shouldn't happen twice. An ice bucket should be offered with a bottle of white wine (especially when its so hot out). The ambiance isn't too great either. It almost feels like a chain restaurant with all the booths. It gets quite loud, and there was no real separation between the dining room and the bar. At the time I visited, the hosts hadn't yet figured out how to schedule reservations so people were often waiting - with no where to wait. This is not the place to take someone to impress them.
(1)
Boki H.
We went there last winter having a farewell lunch with another couple. It was very noisy. The soups were EXTREMELY salty, I couldn't even finish one third of it. Can't remember now what I had for entree, but I'm sure it was not that impressive because we decided not to go back again.
(2)
Ellen S.
First, the service was fine. The appetizers (Prawns with provencal saffron relish, garlic aioli; amber glazed flatbread with caper cream, wild greens and fennel) were excellent. We ate every crumb of the starters and were eager for the main courses. The grilled salmon with apple fennel salad and bacon wrapped arugula cake was good, but not extraordinary. The grilled jumbo sea scallops were tasty but too salty. After the first two, though, the cumulative salt in my mouth overwhelmed any other taste: I was drowning in the sea. Perhaps that is why I could detect no trace of the white truffle flavor that the beurre fondue (i.e. cup of melted butter) was supposed to have. The ambiance was okay, the service was fine, but for the price, we wanted more from the food.
(3)
Mari S.
The food was excellent. All our dishes were fresh seafood. We loved the crab cakes. We would go back again.
(4)
Brad B.
This place has great food. I had a loooong lunch there consisting of several appetizers and enjoyed it thoroughly. Subtle flavors and awesome seafood make for a lovely culinary experience. The staff is helpful and friendly. The environment modern and sleek, yet comfortable. Highly recommend the tuna appetizer. I was suspect of the large number of seemingly "ladies that lunch" present at this place but, then again I'm suspect of the entire of St Louis....so....I guess its par for the course.
(5)
Robert A.
I sat in the bar at a table. The atmosphere was pleasant and comfortable. The bartender was in charge of serving tables in the bar and seemed to be having a little trouble with prompt service, something expected at this price point. The managing partner of the restaurant noticed the lack of service and remedied the slow service by helping out himself. I had the yellow tail ceviche and pacific oysters an an appetizer. the ceviche was served sashimi style and covered in a lemon butter sauce, rather drowned in sauce. I was barely able to locate the fish under this heavy sauce. The fish was cut so thin it tore when i attempted to eat it. I was left with no option other than to scoop it up and eat it heavily sauced. The oysters were served on the half shell with a cocktail sauce and what tasted like a lemon garlic butter sauce. The sauce I assume had a seafood broth in it because I kept getting pieces of shell from the sauce that had to be picked from my mouth. I would suggest staining the broth before incorporating it into the dipping sauce. The oysters were fresh and delicious, although the preparation was left undone. They apparently forgot oysters are attached to the shell and did not cut the connection leaving me to tear them loose with a knife. Once again not what you would expect at this price point. For the main course I ordered the Halibut. It was perfectly cooked but lacked any seasoning. It was bland and underwhelming. It was served over a vegetable ragout, in this case over cooked rubbery haricot vert with corn and baby mushrooms. The main course portion size was scant at best. I am guessing no more than a four ounce piece of fish which I took a picture of if the management care to reply to my post. The whole meal was overpriced and under portioned. The service was mediocre and I would not go back.
I recently went here for my birthday dinner because this is one of my favorite places. Their food is exquisite, and the place is pretty big. Their potion sizes are perfect for a great meal, and if you are getting an appitizer, I strongly recommend the muscles!!!
(5)
Tracy A.
Good fish, not great. Had a Zinfandel which was nice but not terribly memorable. Went on mother's day. Our waiter was great and attentive (not to mention very attractive). I started with some oysters which were decent but not too flavorful (as to be expected by seafood in STL). We split the salmon flatbread which everyone seemed to like but I thought was just eh. We all had the seafood trio for our main course and it was tasty but nothing to write home about. I wouldn't rush back, but if you're looking for seafood in St. Louis its not a horrible choice.
(4)
Scott C.
I'm surprised by the mix of reviews on Oceano Bistro. I went there with a group from work. My wife and I had wonderful meals. We had the Blackened Big Eye Tuna appetizers. The tuna was perfectly cooked and very good. My wife had the Sea Bass while I had a steak. The steak was cooked just the way I asked. It was a good cut and had a lot of flavor. I tried a bit of my wife's Sea Bass and it was very good as well. The service was good but, it was a large group so the gave us our own server. Since that night, I have gone back twice more for lunch. The Tuna Burger was enjoyable (needs more wasabi but, maybe that's just me). The Steak Sandwich was awesome.
(4)
Brian W.
great!
(4)
Fred M.
Went to Oceano, again, for Happy Hour with friends. Super service, great food, and pleasant atmosphere. We love it!
(4)
John T.
Had dinner there this evening with my wife, daughter, and my daughter's new roommate's mother. We all enjoyed the experience. Waitstaff very friendly and attentive. Appetizers and entrees were great. Sadly, we skipped dessert because we were full Oceano will be on our list to return to when we visit our daughter during her years at WUSTL Enjoy!
(4)
Christy A.
Oceano is a great date night spot. The ambiance is cozy and the seafood is fresh and well prepared. Service was pleasant and the array of dessert options were awesome. I enjoy an open kitchen style restaurant because it makes me feel like I'm part of the process lol.. Located in Clayton across from Cardwell's and connected to City Coffeehouse & Creperie. Valet parking is available.
(4)
Laura H.
Two nearby brunch places had hour+ waits because Sunday, so we decided to give Oceano a try. We were seated at a window table, which perfectly blended the views and open air of a sidewalk seat with the comfort and privacy of an interior seat. Service was attentive and pleasant and our server gave great recommendations. I got the Crab Cake and Arugula Benedict (Atop poached eggs, hollandaise, chipotle aioli and crispy prosciutto) and it was fantastic. The breakfast potatoes were great: well-cooked, well-seasoned, and mixed with onions and peppers for a good taste and texture. There were a ton of things on the menu I want to go back to try. At $30 for brunch and coffee for two, it's more affordable than the $$$ (perhaps those are dinner prices?) would lead me to believe.
(4)
Danielle J.
We love this happy hour. Huge glasses of good wine for $5 and good menu choices. Tonight we had dinner for the first time. We shared the fennel dusted and pan seared scallops. They were outstanding. Service is always fantastic and servers and other staff are vey friendly.
(5)
David D.
One of the best dining experiences we've had in a loooong ttime. Fresh and deliciously prepared seafood in the heart of the heartland, you say with thinly veiled skepticism? Darned right... Great seafood, creatively prepared and presented. Locally sourced options (not for the seafood, natch). Our server was absolutely outstanding. Well prepared, friendly, attentive, and none of the all-too-oft-heard "are you still working on that??". Two messy thumbs (after releasing some prawns from their armor) WAY up....
(5)
Patt C.
My girlfriend and I went for lunch yesterday. We went a little early on purpose, and were surprised at the number of open parking spots at the corner of Brentwood and Maryland. There are no meters in this particular area of Brentwood, so you have to find the "Pay Station," pay for parking by cash or plastic, then put your receipt on the driver's side of your dashboard. I've never done this before, but it worked beautifully, and we had a princely parking spot. This restaurant is divinely elegant, sparse, clean, great colors and fabulous angles. David was our server. Before we dove too far into the menus, he acquainted us with the off-menu offerings. This is a good thing in my book. I don't want to study a menu, make a selection and THEN be told about off-menu offerings which tempt me into indecision. As it turns out, we both got the same thing: the off-menu soup -- butternut squash soup ($5/cup) -- and crab cakes from the appetizer menu ($14). David asked if we wanted the soup first or everything to come out at the same time. We opted for soup first. He timed it beautifully. The butternut squash soup was spectacular, great flavor, wonderful texture, and smitten with candied pecans to give a crunch to this otherwise soft soup. The flavors blended so beautifully and were so autumn-ish. It was not long before the crab cakes (remember, this is listed as an appetizer) came out. Such a beautiful presentation. THREE crab cakes -- this size I've never seen before -- an inch tall and perhaps 1/2-inch diameter. A sauce drizzled over the crab cakes. A different sauce in the bottom of the plate. Dressed with an arugula/fennel/roasted red pepper salad. The two sauces were sherry butter and chipotle aioli. But there was nothing HOT about the chipotle aioli -- for those who are averse . . . including me. The crab cakes were mostly crab -- the way they should be. Tender, flavorful and so enticingly enhanced with the two sauces. Somebody in the kitchen knows their stuff. We both ate one crab cake. And it was time for to-go vessels. My girlfriend ordered (to take home) the pasta primavera off-menu offering. She ordered it before we had our food, so they could be firing it in time for our departure. And the timing was too close to perfect. I took home my two splendiferous crab cakes with both sauces for another meal. David was a spectacular server.
(5)
KT M.
Came here with a friend, not knowing too much about this restaurant-omigosh, every single thing we ordered was amazing!! Started with heirloom tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar and topped with goat cheese, then some grilled peaches which were to die for, followed by some wonderful Alaskan salmon-it was an absolutely perfect meal! Oh yeah, and the bread (also great, nice & crusty)came with a house-made red pepper reduction with olive oil...just trying to figure out when I can go again!!
(5)
Brad C.
Steak and seafood was good. Cocktails came out quick and service staff was knowledgeable. It would be a good place to celebrate something special with minimal lead time for a reservation.
(3)
Fab S.
Free bread served with olive oil, nice atmosphere whether you like casual or more intimate, the dining space is large enough to accomodate any occasion, mostly professional crowd at lunch or happy hour... what else can you ask for?! . I've gone to Oceano over a dozen times for lunch with coworkers and never have I been disappointed. They hire very good servers with high knowledge of the menu and attentiveness. I give them 5 stars mainly because of the service, I noticed in various restaurants, when it is super busy, the servers are overworked. Oceano has this under control and handles its crowd very well. The crabcakes are legit! They are so deliciously warm and served with some creamy sauce that takes them to another level. Whether you get them in a sandwich, or on their own as an appetizer, you can't go wrong with it. In my opinion, Oceano serves some of the freshest seafood I've had in Missouri (Bristol does a great job too). The Maryland crabcakes run for about $13-14 I believe, you get 2 nice size cakes that are very filing. A sandwich cost a little less than that. I've also had numerous salads which were always fresh and crispy. Depending on your topping the salad may cost you up to $15 at lunch. Happy hours are very good as well in terms of pricing. I don't have any complaint about this spot, It is one of my favorite in Clayton. Lunch, happy hour, dinner, you can't go wrong with Oceano!
(5)
Grace S.
I love this place. Great people, great food, and the restaurant is super cool. I'd totally recommend the Fennel Dusted Scallops, with the Tuna Roll to start. Their staff was super friendly, but not overly present. Just a generally great place to eat some fresh food.
(5)
C Z.
Awesome food. Went for Sunday Brunch great surprise. Great value. Got the Trout, Cesar salads do the Chocolate Brownie in Phyllo AWESOME food and service. great surprise in St Louis
(5)
Jennifer C.
Clayton Restaurant Week, YES! What better time to visit somewhere I've never been and get 3 courses for $25....disclaimer...I spent more than $25 by the time I added an adult beverage and a scallop special. haha. Anyway, I settled on the Maryland Crab Cakes, Grilled Salmon and the Bread Pudding. Awesome meal! I enjoyed every single bite of my selections. They offered scallops added to any meal and I had to do it. Just as good! The Pink Pearl cocktail washed it all down, oh yes! The restaurant wasn't as big on the inside as I thought it would be, but it is warm and inviting. Service was impeccable! Their bread is served with olive oil and a roasted red pepper puree. Don't turn your nose up, it's great!
My husband and I had dinner here Sunday Evening. Delicious! We started with the calamari appetizer, cooked perfectly, served with 2 sauces...a spicy, chipotle, and a sweet. I had the seafood soffrito, probably my favorite meal anywhere. Mussels, shrimp, scallop over a risotto cake in a tomato broth! My husband had halibut with risotto....Both entrees were presented well & tasted very good! We will be back soon!
(5)
Connie L.
I came here for a late weekday lunch and about half of the tables were occupied. Our waiter was super disorganized--we spent a huge chunk of time waiting for our waiter to come by so that we could order our entrees and get the check. The food was only satisfactory for the price of each dish. Overall, I wasn't too impressed.
(3)
Don S.
A terrible marriage of great food and disgusting wine service. On the recommendation of a managing partner from a local CPA firm we decided to dine at this establishment. Food was great. Wine was beyond a joke - it would be called hilariously bad if it improves. The server rated a z minus The sommelier a c- First of all we ordered a chateau montelena 2010 cab. They presented a European white we sent that back. They then presented a 2011 and argued it was just as good. We challenged the sommelier and he relented that we were correct ( we do at least 5 visits to Napa annually). we ordered the chimney rock 2009. It was too warm I asked them to cool it. She ignored the request and poured it anyway. I complained 3 times and was ignored until the sommelier came. His solution. Put my glass in refrigerator. Really. They brought it back later. Cold glass and all. Not bothering to pour into new one. When emptying the decanter she poured the wine all over the table and my glass and despite requests did not even change the glass. The 2010 we poured ourselves. I chastised the sommelier. He apologized profusely and said we would get substantial discount on the problem wine. .... Anyone else would have written it off. I told that staff needed training as this was an embarrassment. We got the bill. A whole 25 taken off each bottle. Truly sad The sommelier was nowhere to be found. Truly a Mickey Mouse wine operation. Not to be taken seriously. I would recommend that money be spent elsewhere rather than wasted here. Unless you just want a coke with your meal.
Parking around here can be tough sometimes. I was lucky enough to find street parking within a block and didn't have to feed the meter after 5pm which was a bonus. Reservations are recommended as even during weekdays it can get busy. The service was pretty good. The prices are a little high but was on par with what you'd expect for this type of restaurant. The food was awesome. I had the mussels and seafood chowder for starters. For my entree, I had the sea bass. I would definitely recommend giving this restaurant a try.
(4)
Wendy E.
The service is great. The food is fresh. The drinks are great. Make a reservation if you plan to visit, just to be sure. The lobster omelet for brunch is a great choice. I also like the rainbow trout a great deal. And the starter ahi tuna rolls are perfection. I appreciate how much they do with vegetables here... not so many carbs filling the plates! But.. oh.. the one carb to not miss are the warm sourdough rolls. Nice bathrooms. Not too loud, if you are looking for a quieter setting.
(4)
Jennifer K.
this place has the best scallops! I've had them numerous times and they are consistently excellent! it has a great bar area that overlooks the cooking area and great wine list.
(4)
Michelle B.
happy hour at oceano is still the best! the coconut shrimp is incredible, best crab cakes and super tasty calamari! extremely friendly bartenders. will make you any cocktail you want. go and leave happy!
(5)
Leslie S.
Our server Edward completely made our first dinner experience here perfect! I think I walked away saying he had to have been one of - if not THE - best restaurant server I have ever had. What a pleasant tone and cadence to his voice - just makes you feel at home. After making reservations, we arrived and were seated in the restaurant near the windows as per our request. We didn't realize the happy hour specials were only valid in the bar area, but I think Edward sympathized with us and/or could tell we were newbies to Oceano, so he talked to manager Brady and got approved to allow us happy hour specials this time. (I remembered everyone's names, because everyone was so nice, and I wanted to be sure to recognize them in this review!) 1) Happy hour martinis were ice cold for $5; happy hour starters were 1/2 off 2) Crab cakes are the most popular app, but in a restaurant like this, try one of the fresh, raw starters - Blackened Big Eye Tuna rolls were unique and quite tasty. 3) The scallops were divine - 4 large scallops w/ an incredible beurre fondue topped w/ truffle oil ($24) 4) The Grilled Atlantic salmon was delicious atop a bacon-potato cake ($26) 5) We had the Grilled Season Vegetables (half price for happy hour off the starter menu) as our side - another Edward recommendation 6) The Companion bread with oil is unique and very good, but be careful - it's filling
(5)
Cece A.
I was looking for a nice place for my mom's birthday. I had heard this place had great seafood and so I made reservations online. Stepping in, the place certainly looked classy. We ordered mussels as an appetizer; they came in a delicious flavorful white wine broth that I just had to dunk my bread in. For our entree, I chose the herb crusted sea bass with risotto. I really enjoyed my dish; the fish was perfectly flavored and the risotto was a great example of comfort food. Portion size was fine as well-I finished it and was pleasantly full. My mom had the steamed shellfish soffrito, which was shellfish in a smooth seasoned broth with risotto. The main thing that made our night less than enjoyable was our waiter. He was pretty MIA from start to finish. He did show up once to ask how everything was. Since we were on our first bite we just said everything was fine. However, my mom's dish was a little too salty for her and while she wasn't sure if there was a way to make it less salty, I went ahead and flagged down the waiter. When I asked if there was anything they could do for it (as opposed to re making it), he said "Well, I assumed you guys liked the dishes because you said everything was fine." It was such a weird and unnecessary comment that it threw me off. He almost sounded argumentative although my mom and I had merely asked a question rather than complain about the saltiness. In the end someone else (manager?) came back with an altered dish and it tasted much better. Overall, good food but honestly probably wouldn't come back. The waiter just left a bad memory that even the food couldn't save.
(2)
Sheryl M.
This place is near work and has a nice menu. It is reasonable for lunch but i think dinner is a bit pricier. Service is always excellent. It was a bit ago that I was there and i am just now writing the review. I had a nice lunch and we sat in the tables by the windows that open so we got a great breeze. It was also fun watching people as they walk by and there is lots of that in Clayton.
(4)
Mary P.
Great seafood, but a little too pricey for my tastes. I understand that seafood is a more expensive item to serve, but $32 for halibut? And a tiny portion of it? Delicious plating, though...and the harissa in the oil for the bread was a nice touch. My husband really loved his sea bass. Crab cakes were good, too.
(4)
Brent Z.
3rd time here and another great visit. Sat at the bar during happy hour. Service was excellent and the bartender was very attentive. I got the grilled salmon and the vegetable appetizer which was on happy hour. Both were excellent. They have good happy hour specials. Half wit wheat beers were $2 and half priced select appetizers. They also have some other beer, wine and liquor specials too. Street parking is free after 5, but sometimes hard to come by.
(5)
Wendy T.
Ocenano is a great place for lunch, especially if you decide on window seating! The staff is extremely courteous, and their voices are so soothing :P Bread from Campanion was served with a oil mix-- 75% vegetable oil, 25% olive oil) with the orange part being Oceano's version of harissa (Tunisian chili sauce). We really mopped the harissa up, yumm! When the seafood chowder was placed on the table, and our table immediately smelled like seafood. The cup portion literally came in a cup, and it was garnished with the same orange color, probably the harissa. One bite, and a wave of seafood hit me-- strong taste of squid and mussels :) The grilled Atlantic salmon lunch was gorgeous. The salmon dish consisted of grilled salmon and a potato cake wrapped in bacon, topped with fennel and Granny Smith apple slices, all drizzled with a sauce. The menu touted a fennel and apple "salad," but I don't think you can call that a salad. If you're looking for moist, oiled salmon, this is not the type for you. This seared version was a little too charred for me, but the bf liked it a lot. The potato cake had the same consistency and taste of mashed potatoes. I think the whole dish iskind of a random jumble of stuff: salmon, mashed potatoes, bacon, apple, and fennel-- but hey, if it's delish, it works! Om nom nom~ ^^ The Lemon Crab Risotto is so photogenic, super colorful, also with the orange harissa. The Lemon Crab risotto definitely had the lemon flavor, but the only crab to be found was the little tuft garnishing the risotto. And the meat was pretty loose and stringy, not that much flavor-- boo... But the crab aside, this risotto is super delish. The dinner menu is about the same, although the prices definitely soar upwards, so I think lunch is a good time to sample what their menu has to offer. :) The food is not only flavorful, but they also really make an effort to satiate the eye too. They also sell the normal and seafood (think salmon BLT) sandwiches and have brunch on Sundays. Also, Oceano Bistro is right next door to Cityhouse Creperie. Their door is closer to Maryland Ave, in case you're like me and walk straight past the door a few times ;)
(4)
Shannon C.
My boyfriend and I visited Oceano for the first time last week and we were incredibly pleased by the level of customer server we received. While the ambiance of the restaurant didn't seem like anything special, our waiter is credited with making up for it ten fold by making 5 star recommendations with his own touch of personality and conversation that will keep us coming back - I only wish I could remember his name. My boyfriend and I started off with the Mussels as an appetizer which were delectable. The waiter recommended the seafood chowder to my boyfriend, which he loved and I had the spinach salad per our waiter's recco, which was also delicious. Being a newbie with exploring seafood, the waiter recommended I have the Scallops, which he said would be the best I would have in St. Louis. They were a bit spicy given the hint of red pepper sprinkled in the delicious sauce on top of a portabella mushroom, which is right up my alley. My boyfriend had the Sea bass which he said was better than he has had in the past. Overall, great food, great service.
(5)
Jo M.
Visited during Clayton July restaurant week and all 5 of of us left HUNGRY. Don't participate in restaurant week if you are planning to serve 3 appetizers, one sweet. Ridiculous to spend that much money on wine, prosecco, drinks and have to head to Whole foods to feel full. Especially when 3 of the party are 5'2" small women.
(2)
Sandi C.
We came here during restaurant week. Place was very busy, decor is nice and warm, hostess was very nice. Ordered from the restaurant week menu. We were served with immediately with warm bread and olive oil mix with roasted bell pepper & garlic puree. Bread was very warm, crusty outside and warm inside. Appetizer we all opted for: Maryland Lump Crab Cakes: crusty outside, lots of crab meat, excellent! Entrees: Grilled Altantic Salmon Salad: salmon was nice and moist, pretty good Spiced South Pacific Big Eyey Tuna: didn't try, but only 3 pieces Warm Water Seabass: served with risotto ... risotto was a little overcook, lack of the chewy texture, seabass was very good Dessert: Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee: extremely tiny, size of k-cup (ok, maybe a tiny bigger) Dark Chocolate Phyllo Browie: served with vanilla ice cream ... love the pastry warp around the brownie, nothing wow. Overall, ok ... this is really a restaurant week portion. A friend came here last year for their restaurant told me, Oceano really shrink-ed the portion.
(3)
Paul G.
Again, so good! In town to visit family. Amazing dinner. Come here every time. Food excellent, service on point! Dave is amazing. There when you need him. Recommendations spot on. And when you're not feeling his first recommendation, totally open to helping you with more choices. Was a great night. Will be back many, many times.
(5)
Morgan H.
Came here during restaurant week for the $25 three course meal. It was AMAZING. Crab cakes were fantastic. The bread was good. The salmon I got was cooked perfectly. The dessert was good. Our waitress was great. Overall wonderful experience :) Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Melanie W.
It was an outstanding dinner. The Warm Water Sea Bass on Risotto was perfect. Everyone at the table loved their food!
(5)
Abby S.
Oceano Bistro is one of those spots in Clayton that you sort of forget about until you drive right by it... That's not necessarily a bad thing, but since it hasn't been in Clayton as long as some of the other staples in the area (i.e., Cardwell's, BARcelona, Remy's). But I guess it has been on the corner of Brentwood and Maryland for awhile now, huh? Shows you how much I hang out in Clayton these days :) I came here a few years ago for a girl's dinner and the food was good. We shared a handful of small plates and drank a significant amount of wine. From what I remember the service was exceptional and the food was hit or miss. Generally speaking, I don't seek out seafood in the Midwest - once you've had the super fresh stuff from Hawaii, it's hard to go back. But I did meet up with two friends for a late-night drink last week and was glad that we met here. Again, the servers here go above and beyond the normal call of duty. The bartender even let us hang out once everyone else had left. The bar itself is very pretty - perfect for catching up with friends or a post dinner drink. And yes, they do serve food late, which most spots in Clayton do not! Go here if you haven't already. Or come back if you've forgotten - it's worth your time.
(4)
Tzachi Z.
Oceano is a great addition to the St. Louis restaurant scene. It is a year old, and in that year i was there about 6 times. They have certainly adapted and improved. Their bread is baked fresh. At the beginning it used to be quite oily, but now the diner controls the oil. Last night we had a great experience, again. This begins to be our favorite restaurant. The calamari were fabulous and the halibut, great. The pork chop (16 oz.) was delicious. The owner is friendly and cares for each customer. It is a nice touch. The decor is modern and pleasant. Overall, i expect this place to last.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Corey K.
My wife and I love this place. It continues to be our favorite restaurants in St. Louis. The presentation is appealing to the eyes and is followed with amazing flavor. We have never had anything we have not loved. The scallops are amazing. Going on a Sunday for the trio and sitting at the open windows with wine is a great experience you won't regret.
(5)Max M.
Great dining spot. Good place. Attractive if sometimes loud room. Very good business lunch establishment. Food comes out fresh and quick. 1hour lunch. Wine list is decent. Particularly love their salmon flatbread. Tasty and fresh. Salads are quite nice. Caesars is crisp with a lovely dressing. Any seafood entree is very nice. We enjoy el fresco dining weather permitting. The staff is well trained and quite friendly. Service is crisp and professional. They go out of their way to make sure you're satisfied. The owner is an absolute gentleman who truly appreciates your business. Terrific food. Maybe a little pricey if on a budget. But well worth the expense.
(4)Taylor L.
I want to start out by saying that the service was great and by no means is my two star review a reflection of poor waiting etc. However, the food was another story. Although the presentation was solid the flavor lacked finesse. first: my oysters were not shelled properly, and had grit and pieces of shell on top of them. To make matters worse, they were fishy and rather deflating, which was annoying because i love that juicy burst that comes with a plump oyster. Therefore, I was not surprised when I received my next course. I order the yellowtail civiche, which lacked that wonderful fresh fish taste. In addition, the sliced avocado, which should have complimented the fish with its smooth texture, was hard as a rock. I showed the server and he apologized and regretfully admitted that they did have any ripe avocado! (im sorry what?)...then dont serve a dish when each of the components are not up to appropriate standards. That dish was $14 so find some damn ripe avocados! My branzino as well as the vegetables were chard. They had a propane taste that was rather revolting (not that yummy burnt flavor). Moreover, the branzino sat atop a bed of cous cous that was slathered in butter... If you are relying on butter to make a dish taste good, then you lack solid chef skills. I always prefer the simple drizzle of high quality EVOO to enhance by food, not a pound of stomach churning greasey butter. I would like to finish my review by saying that I not order a dessert as I had a terrible stomach ache, (even after specifically choosing light menu items). Dont go here unless you have no taste buds and want to be around a very old age group. PASS
(2)Chris X M.
It's surprising how few seafood restaurants St. Louis has, but this is one of the best. Friendly service, fresh seafood and a moderately dressy atmosphere make this place a winner in Downtown Clayton. Most dishes are somewhat simple in preparation, but the food is tasty and fresh and prices are not too high. Good for business dinner, couples or groups of friends.
(4)Carolina R.
This is the second time I've been for dinner at Oceano bistro, and on this occasion we invited a foreign visiting professor, expecting to give him a nice impression on his stay. We were given the worst table of the place, in the middle of the way, with people walking by us all the time. It felt as if that the table was put there to accomodate extra diners on an overbooked night. The only table in the middle of the way in the whole restaurant, and it was ours. Bummer. While diners at other tables were provided with bread and olive oil, we just were asked our orders and that was basically all the service we received all night. We ate our food, and it was good, hence the stars, but could not wait to get out of there without hurrying our guest. My husband and I may sound a little paranoid, but we shared the suspicion that getting awful table assignments two times in a row has something to do with "booking while having a latino name". How come everyone else gets a cozy nook and we end up in the middle of the corridor? ... Just saying. In the interest of social science, we might try booking a third time ;) cheers!
(2)LB T.
The window seats are the best in town! Have been seated right away both times with no reservations. Great place for a nice night out with girlfriends! The food has always been exceptional. Crab cakes are a zesty appetizer & stuffed with meat. We always order scallops & a salmon entree. Haven't been disappointed yet! So much I want to try, these reviews are making me hungry!
(4)Annie M.
Valentine's Day my husband and I, along with another couple visited Oceano Bistro for a nice romantic dinner in a beautiful environment. We had 8:45 dinner reservations and we were seated at 8:55. The server took our order about 5 minutes after we were seated. Three of us ordered the same entree, pan roasted chicken and the fourth person ordered grilled salmon.After sitting and waiting for over an hour, we were informed that they had sold out of the pan roasted chicken. Of course, we weren't pleased by this news as three of us had ordered this entree. We also had 11:00 movie tickets, so there wasn't time to order and eat anything else as it was already 10:10. Needless, to say, we weren't very happy with this as we had just wasted an hour and a half and still didn't get dinner........or any type of rain check to come back again. I contacted the owner, Amer, on Monday, Feb. 16th to apprise him of what had transpired on that Saturday. Immediately, he was very apologetic and offered, without hesitation, to have the four of us return for free dining. He took my name and contact info and said I could make reservations whenever its convenient. We returned this past Saturday, Feb. 28th and all I can say is WOW!!!!! Amer is definitely a man of his word. We had a superb dining experience from the moment we entered the restaurant and he came to our table to greet us. The food is delicious and expertly prepared. The atmosphere was very pleasant and our server, Simon, was the best!!!!! This is definitely a restaurant that I highly recommend, not only for its excellent array of fine food choices, but also for the outstanding customer service.....totally world class. We will definitely return.
(5)Stephanie R.
SUNDAY BRUNCH IS AMAZING HERE when you want a splurge. Also I had a small dinner party here with about 15 guests and we used the covered porch area and it was great. The food and service were both really good. I think the decor here is their worst quality. It looks like a chain of corporate hotels' lobby area with a bar rather than an upscale restaurant.
(4)Victor L.
This by far is my most favorite seafood restaurant in Saint Louis. I have been here 4+ times and can say that the service and food are always superb. Here is a quick list of what I've had and what I think Bistro Mussels: I like these so much that I've tried replicating them at home. I've done no justice. Served in a large bowl, enough to comfortably satisfy 2 while waiting for the main entree. They are light, fresh, and the bruschetta adds a lovely saltiness to bring everything together. You'll want to save the white wine sauce the mussels are served in to dip your extra bread into. Blue Point Oysters: I always think that oysters are good if they are cleaned and served correctly. These blue points from the Northeast were cold when I got them and I didn't have to deal with any shell fragments. Great in my book. Use the cocktail sauce and cucumber mignonette sparingly because the blue points are already so perfect on their own Sauteed Warm Water Sea Bass: An overcooked fish will make any foodie sad. Oceano Bistro cooks the sea bass perfectly. The garnish and light sauce do not overpower, but rather complement the natural sweetness of the fish itself (corn). They give a generous portion and the risotto as a base is a nice touch too. One of the pricer dishes on the menu but well worth it! Grilled Jumbo Sea Scallops: I've gotten these twice. The first time was perfect, the second time was a little interesting. When the chefs make these perfectly, all 4 sea scallops (1/2 pound) cut like butter. At first it doesn't seem like 4 scallops will be satisfactory at all but they do in fact fill a stomach quite nicely. The scallops are served clean with a nice white truffle, butter emulsion that keeps you licking your lips all night. The second time I had these scallops they were cooked perfectly but the sear on them was bitter. I'd like to think that the grill wasn't cleaned perfectly. I was able to cut off the bitter parts and still enjoy my meal. Lobster Risotto: This is the only dish I've had here that I do not think is worth its price. The lobster was cooked wonderfully but there was not much of it. The flavors were great but I cannot justify ordering an almost seafood-less risotto at a seafood restaurant. Try this after you've tried everything else! Small dishes from the A la Carte menu: Nice little touches. Nothing to rave about but the sweet corn and asparagus risotto ($5) is worth a taste if you aren't already getting the sea bass. When a person says they love this place, they aren't trying to fit in- it really is that good! Lastly, the service as I said is wonderful. All the servers know the wine list by heart. They also know which wine will go best with the entree of your choice.
(5)MyongHi S.
I dined here last night for Clayton Restaurant Week for the first time. Really cozy ambiance in the main dining room. The service was good but a bit dry (which tends to happen at higher-end restaurants) and the food was great. I ordered the Arancini for my appetizer and the Beef Medallions for my entree. Both were delicious. Portions for the dessert were tiny for Restaurant Week, however. I ordered the bread pudding and it was incredible, just small. I would definitely go back to dine again.
(4)Philip R.
First time going to Oceano. Found it on here and was by far the best seafood restaurant I have ever gone to. Not just in St Louis but ever. Staff was wonderful. Food was extremely fresh. Flown in daily from the cost. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Sandy M.
In the interest of full disclosure, I went during Clayton's restaurant week and took advantage of their 3 course meal. I did, however, read over the menu to see what else they had to offer. I guess I'm just used to Bristol, with their selection of fresh fish as well as menu staples. The Oceano menu seemed extremely limited in comparison. We both started out with the crab cakes, which were awesome. Crispy on the outside and lovely fresh crab on the outside. Fresh bread was delivered tableside with oil for dipping. I had the crab risotto (what can I say, I'm a crab fan). I'm not sure if it was the restaurant week portion of if it was normal for the dish, but I found it sadly lacking in both crab meat and flavor. My dinner companion had the sea bass, which he enjoyed. This too came on top of a bed of risotto. For dessert we both went with the phyllo-wrapped brownie topped with ice cream. Delicious, hands down the best part of the meal. They were tiny (everything in restaurant week is just a "sample") and left us wanting another one! The taste more than made up for the fact that the phyllo was difficult to cut through and made a mess. The restaurant itself was attractive and clean, with an abundance of servers to make sure your water glass never went below half and dirty plates didn't linger on the table. Overall, it wasn't bad. If I lived in Clayton I'd go back. However, I live about 2 minutes from Bristol and in comparison Oceano just wasn't worth the drive.
(3)Steph W.
I've been here twice and both times the selection was extremely good. The food is definitely pricey and the portions are rather small. The service is friendly but a tad slow. I would recommend wine with the cuisine to top it off. The music wasn't loud so it was nice to hangout and hear my girlfriends. I've had the Seabass Riscotto and would recommend it.
(4)Alice S.
A girlfriend and I spent a leisurely lunchtime at Oceano and had a wonderful time. The atmosphere was quiet, yet busy and we were afforded the privacy and time we requested, without ever feeling hurried. The server helped us choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and we were impressed with the wine list. My fresh trout was delicious, with a side of spinach which was cooked perfectly and without a morsel of garlic, as per my liking. Oceano is not a cheap date, but the service, atmosphere and fare are well worth the indulgence.
(5)Henry T.
Oceano has changed ownership and we noticed a lot of the servers were new tonight. Also the salads had a lot of wilted lettuce leaves. The quality of the food since the ownership change has become hit or miss. Tonight I had the Sea Bass and it was the worst I have eaten at this restaurant, tasted odd and too fishy, and not quiet warm enough. I need to find another restaurant, but there are not a lot of seafood places in St. Louis. Maybe they would try to improve if they had more competition.
(2)Carolyn T.
I absolutely love Oceano. It is my father's go-to restaurant and I couldn't be happier to receive invites from him time and time again. The food at Oceano is delicious. I would be happy to give it five stars if not for the odd service at times. On a few occasions, we've had some servers who were less than professional; one server spoke so quickly that no one at our table (seven people!) could understand him. We kept asking him to repeat everything and he still was talking at the speed of light. The food however, more than makes up for the iffy service. I try my best to eat a clean diet, but from time to time, I will partake in the Kobe beef sliders. Sooooo good! They are a traditional slider complete with cheese, shredded lettuce, and a light spreading of mayo. Yum. They taste like heaven. Seriously. I always order the Bistro Market Salad. So good! It is a nice spring mix coated with a light balsamic vinaigrette, onions, tomatoes, shoestring potatoes, and the BEST gorgonzola crumbles. I highly recommend it. The fish at Oceano is crazy fresh and so very tasty. A couple of days ago, I ordered the Halbut; I made some adjustments and had it cooked plain (no lemon butter) and had it served with a side of sauteed long green beans instead of the vegetable ragout. I wanted to taste the ragout, but I didn't want the extra calories. The fish was cooked perfectly! It had a nice sear on the outside making it a little crispy and the beans were crisp and cooked to perfection. All in all, I had a wonderfully tasty and filling meal. You know it's a great meal when it still tastes fabulous even when you take out the best part: the butter! If you're looking for a delicious seafood dish, try almost anything on the menu. I've had the scallops, the trout, and the halibut. All were fabulous. Jon recently had the Spiced Big Eye Tuna and he said it was great; covered in a pepper crust and seared rare, he thought it was the perfect mixture of fresh seafood with a little bit of spice. His only problem with the dish was that the slice of brie that was supposed to be served with the Tuna was about the size of his thumbnail. Given the fact that he's a man that loves his cheese, he was a little disappointed. Overall this is a great place. If you haven't been to Oceano, give it a try ASAP! It is a little on the pricey side, but it's WAY worth it.
(4)Mark R.
It's seafood in Saint Louis, after all; even their army of servers and well-oiled machine service can't work miracles. The kitchen just doesn't step up. I've ordered swordfish and found it dry (understandable), a lobster risotto with barely any lobster (less so), and flavorless scallops (sin!). A ceviche that came as part of Clayton's Restaurant Week was excellent, although that might've been a generous salting at work. It's fine enough if someone else is paying, but if the decision hasn't been made yet I'd steer people in other directions.
(3)Lindsay A.
I would have loved to try this place, but when my husband and I arrived for a late dinner date at 8:30 p.m., we were told there was a 45 minute wait despite our reservation, and would we mind waiting. The reception was less than friendly, so we opted to move on. Doubt we'll be back...
(1)Brian B.
I was profoundly disappointed with my first (and probably last) experience with Oceano. On the positive side, the location is great, and the restaurant is a vibrant scene, teeming with people and activity, while still not too noisy to carry on a conversation. My friends and I began the evening at the long, sweeping bar, and found the service at the bar friendly. A good selection of drinks, but the tonic in my G&T was so flat that even the lime couldn't rescue the flavor. Appetizers were good, but not spectacular. The salad was fresh, but a bit plain. It was with the entree, however, that Oceano lost me. I should preface this by saying that I am somewhat of a seafood connoisseur, and I am very familiar with the flavors and textures of pretty much all of the consumable sea creatures. As such, I naturally gravitated towards their risotto with scallops, mussels, and prawns. When the plate arrived, however, I was overcome by a very pungent odor emanating from the dish. It was so strong that even the table nearby could smell it. Something was not right with the dish. A little investigating revealed that the scallops were the culprit. I am not usually one to send food back, but this was so off that I was concerned that the food would make me ill. The server was very nice about it, and took the dish back. But, when she returned, I was given the same plate, same risotto, and instead of removing the scallops, they removed the mussels. The aroma was still there. This was a bit upsetting for a few reasons. For one, I had clearly identified the scallops as the bad item, and my companions agreed. And secondly, if one item in the dish is bad, then the entire thing should be replaced. As it stands, they just gave me the same plate, risotto still swimming in the broth of the bad seafood! The server was nice enough to check in and noticed I hadn't eaten anything. I pressed again that it was the scallops and not the mussels, and she trotted back into the kitchen. She returned 5 minutes later with a new plate of scallops! Seriously??? I know that Oceano prides itself on its scallops, but to have that pride get in the way of admitting that they had a bad batch is simply preposterous and unacceptable. That they wouldn't listen to the customer who is supposed to eat the food was very frustrating. As it stands, I left Oceano with a bad taste in my mouth... figuratively, of course... no way was I going to eat bad seafood. My recommendation is to avoid this establishment.
(2)Lucy P.
We visited Oceano for Clayton's restaurant week. The place was packed when we got there and we had to wait a bit for our reservation but that was ok. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, the place had an open, airy feel to it. Our server was very nice but not in your face every five minutes, which we like. We each had a chunk of bread served with a yummy olive oil swirled with a zesty blend of something, maybe roasted red peppers? Either way, it was good. We shared the seafood chowder and hamachi ceviche. Both were very good but the ceviche definitely won out. It was light and citrusy and the perfect taste to get us ready for the main event. Next came our entrees, and in my opinion, the best part of our meal. My husband had the shellfish sofrito and gobbled it up like no other. I'm not a huge fan of shellfish so I let him go for it while I enjoyed my delicious salmon. I am not even a huge seafood lover (trust me, I almost wussed out and went with the filet) but this was fantastic. It came perfectly charred with a small garnish of shaved fennel and granny smith apples that added a crunch to each bite. It was served atop a crispy bacon wrapped arugula cake that was awesome! I literally cleaned my plate, felt a bit piggish but we all know that time in the meal where getting a to go box is pointless. We ended our meal with the creme brulee and bread pudding. I would agree with another reviewer that this was probably the only not so awesome part of the meal. The vanilla creme brulee was tasty but not quite crackly enough. Part of the fun is busting through the top layer with your spoon! The chocolate didn't really do it for me, I may have even left a bite behind. Greg really enjoyed the bread pudding but I thought it would have been even tastier and a beautiful presentation if it were a bit thicker. Overall, we would definitely try this place again, especially when we are in the mood for some unique seafood flavors. Thank you Oceano!
(4)Andy K.
This place is great. We go here often and are never disappointed. We love the mussels and the tuna apps. Any fish entree is well prepared and fantastic. You can't go wrong here
(5)Mohammed A.
The place is amazing I don't mind eating there everyday!!the service is great and the food is so delicious!!
(5)Sasha K.
Not great. My sliders were salty, the chowder had bones in it, and the halibut was nothing special. The waiter was nice. I wouldn't recommend it, though. It was also pricey (27$ for a small fish portion). The cost would be OK if it were good...
(2)Michael B.
I was relatively unimpressed with Oceano, and it's not because I don't like seafood. The restaurant to me was just kind of "blah." It lacked the trendy, hot spot vibe that I envisioned and in place was an old-fashioned italian "Olive Garden" look and feel. The food was great but pricy. The wine list was notable but quite expensive. Overall, I wouldn't go back. Trust me, my review won't hurt sales. The place was crowded with a much older clientele (ready to spend a lot more money than me). If you're in the mood for fish, I don't know any other direction to point you. If you're in the mood for anything else, I'd recommend somewhere other than Oceano Bistro.
(2)Judi N.
Food was wonderful, service was quick and correct, atmosphere was chic, price was a little high but not bad compared to equal restaurants. Will recommend and go again.
(4)Melissa C.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Two fantastic experiences and man did we test them. New Year's Eve and Clayton restaurant week. On New Year's Eve, my husband and I went to Oceano in a party of 8. We were running 5 minutes late so we valeted the car (valet was ready and waiting) and ran in to find our party seated promptly at reservation time. This place caters to those with gluten allergies and intolerances so it earns a bit of a plus in my book ahead of time. The service was outstanding on New Year's. Not a half empty water glass to be found. The food was very good and the only reason I don't say excellent is because both husband and I noticed that our entrees could have used a bit more seasoning. (After our second visit we think this was just due to the busy night). I enjoyed the bistro market salad and cod special and my husband had the ceviche appetizer and lobster tails. The rolls that are served before dinner are very good and are served with an olive oil for dipping that has some red pepper sauce in it that adds so much. I also had a bite of the bread pudding dessert and it was amazing. Everyone at the table left very happy. I made reservations for my mother-in-law's birthday not realizing it was during Clayton restaurant week. It worked out though because some of the party ordered off of the special menu. Again, with 3 in that party having celiac disease, we SO appreciate the clear labeling and catering to them. We were seated again promptly at our reservation time. For appetizers, my husband and I shared the ceviche which Ryan said was actually better than on NYE and he thought maybe they had forgotten the salt on NYE. I really enjoyed that ceviche which was in thin slices instead of a diced ceviche. Ryan had the full-sized sofritto and ate every last bit of it. The mussels were cooked nicely and not chewy, the shrimp was perfectly done. He was a happy man. The other two gf members of our party had the half sized (restaurant week sized) sofritto and also enjoyed it. Other entrees tried that night: scallops with alfredo fondue, tuna, and filet. I had the scallops which were done perfectly and the fondue/cheese sauce that came with it was out of this world. I did get to try a bite of the tuna and the spices they crusted it with were really flavorful. My favorite thing at Oceano is their spinach and bacon side dish which you need to order a la carte. It is phenominal. I know, it's spinach, but just try it. Several desserts were tried as well, a chocolate and vanilla creme brulee pairing that was part of the restaurant week menu, the phillo wrapped brownie with ice cream and the Serendipity ice cream sampler. Again, no complaints, only compliments. The decor is simple and elegant and pretty much what you would expect from a Clayton restaurant. The food and the service do the talking and I will be back to hear more.
(5)Nicole H.
I love this place. The happy hour is great, and Mary is one of the best bartenders around. They have great food and for midwest seafood this is my go to place. Mackenzie is also awesome. The food is good but the service is what keeps us coming back.
(5)Cletis H.
Went with group for a business dinner. Environment was comfortable for the group and the staff was helpful. Unfortunately they were out of 3 beers on the menu which made it awkward. I had the Sea Bass which was wonderful with an excellent presentation. I would go back again as the experience was positive overall.
(4)Sara H.
My visit to Oceano Bistro was lovely. The restaurant is elegant but not pretentious and the wait staff is sincerely nice. I do wish they would dim the lights in the dining room though, it felt too bright for dinner. We had the $25, 3 course special that included an appetizer, entree and dessert. BREAD: Oceano has great bread and olive oil. Get some. APPETIZER: I had Tuna Ceviche which would be more accurately called Tuna Carpaccio. It was a nice slice of fresh tuna, bright citrus flavors, and finished with fresh greens and peas. Light and elegant. ENTRE: For my main dish I had the Salmon. I cannot say enough about this fish! Grilled nicely with a touch of char, NOT covered in butter and accompanied by spinach mashed potatoes and a sweet Teriyaki sauce. DESSERT: I was getting full by the time dessert came and good thing. It is the puzzle piece that keeps this place from a 5 star rating. Dessert was so-so. I had the homemade cookies and ice cream. The cookies were ok, the ice cream tasted like store brand imitation vanilla and the chocolate sauce could have been Hershey's. My dinning partner had crème brûlée which was good but not impressive. Overall it was a satisfying dinner that veered away from the traditional "butter and salt' flavorings to reach for something more fresh and imaginative than the average Clayton steak/sea food restaurant.
(4)Joe B.
I had a Hot Sauce coupon (remember those?) for OB and invited a former roommate out for a man-date. Things went so well, he's been hounding me for a second date...on the condition that we go to Oceano. That makes me kinda suspicious that what he really liked was the food and service, and not my sparking dinner conversation. He could easily be forgiven for using man-date as a pretext for going back to Oceano Bistro because the food was amazing, the service was sterling, and the ambiance creates a strong date-y atmosphere. After I rebuffed his requests, my former roommate brought his wife to Oceano and apparently had a lovely time...without me.
(4)Brenda S.
Apparently, the grilled scallops are supposed to be "The Dish" here. We were not impressed with the scallops nor with the crab cakes which we ordered for appetizer. The service was ok, the server was not very personable nor friendly. If you're looking for great food, this is not the place to go.
(2)Christy S.
I've been here 4 times or so. Great food and great service each time. It's usually busy with a lively crowd of both older and younger folks. The scallops are wonderful, and if you don't do seafood or aren't in the mood, their chicken entree is really great too. The side dishes are amazing as well. Not too dressy, not too casual. Just look nice, don't be a slob, and come hungry.
(4)Rob C.
St. Louis needed a place like this. There aren't many options for an upscale seafood specialty place otherwise. It's in a great dining location (Clayton), and liked their seafood selection, but not every dish is a hit. Creme brulee desert was good.
(3)Bret B.
A friend and I had dinner here on Sunday, November 13, and couldn't have been happier. We didn't have a reservation, but when we called, we were welcomed and told they'd accommodate us when we arrived. That's exactly what happened when we did arrive. We were interested in sharing some dishes to maximize flavor experiences and minimize calories, so we decided on the calamari and rock shrimp with tempura veggies as an appetizer, and then a special entree of the night plus roasted veggies. We came to this decision with the help of our excellent server who clearly wanted us to have a great evening. Wines by the glass are very diverse, and quite reasonable. We each enjoyed a glass to our taste that paired well with the food we had ordered. Now to discuss the food: Calamari-Rock shrimp-tempura vegetables: delicious and perfectly prepared with an amazing variety of veggies (including fennel!); perhaps a bit more seafood would have been nice, but we were happy. Entree: this special was a trio of seafoods: grilled salmon with a polenta cake, sea bass with mushroom risotto, and fried trout with a bit of salad. We split each of these, and still had plenty of food, and each of the trio tasted excellent (tiny quibbles: the salmon could have been cooked a bit less, and everything needed some salt and pepper). Grilled vegetables: asparagus, portabellas, carrots, squash, fennel, green beans and more were on this platter. They were the perfect accompaniment to our fish. A couple of the carrot slices were cut too thickly, and were therefore uncooked, and their balsamic-brie dipping sauce did not contribute anything, but this is minor. We left the restaurant both sated and happy. We WILL return.
(5)Amanda T.
I often go here for happy hour, their appetizers are half off! My definite favorites are their prawns and grilled vegetables. The sauce that comes with both I could literally just eat with a nice baguette. Recently I went there for my birthday, if you sign up to be an advantage member you get a free entree for you birthday! I had a few things that evening. The chef's selection of oysters were fresh and delicious, I personally needed more fresh grated horseradish for the cocktail sauce. My mother had the caesar salad which was perfectly dressed and not overly salty like most. The fried capers added a twist. For our main courses, I ordered the lobster risotto and my mother ordered the scallops. The lobster risotto was not as good as I expected. I could tell that it sat for a bit before it was brought to our table the lobster was nice and buttery. The scallops were AMAZING. I don't quite know how they cooked them but they just melt in your mouth, they are cooked so perfectly. Overall, Oceano Bistro is as good as it gets. There's a reason why myself and others keep going back there. The food is good and service is great also.
(5)Mina I.
This is one of those places I could eat every night if I could but I suppose my 8-5 job and my grad. classes get in the way but besides that, I always get a bottle of their Riesling to start off with and get the wild salmon... that fish always just melts in my mouth! The last time the bf and I came to dine here, I got what I always get and he got the tuna and he absolutely loved it! It is pretty easy to miss since it's on a corner but it is a place you must eat if you are in the Clayton area!
(4)Anthony S.
I'm basing this review off my 2nd visit. The first of which was fantastic in all aspects. Service was great, our martinis were done very well so ut was a good start. We started with the ceviche appetizer which is a bit of a fusion between a yellowtail carpacio and ceviche citrus flavors. It was good but didn't quite have that fresh abundant flavor I expect from a ceviche dish. My girlfriend had the scallops which were fantastic, great flavor and wonderfully cooked. I had the sea bass which we were informed was one of their most popular dishes and I'm A. A huge sea bass fan and B. Grew up on the ocean in Sarasota on fresh seafood so I have a strong grasp of what I'm looking for. My dish left me dissapointed in fact I kept asking myself if itnwas even sea bass I'd been served as the texture was nothing like any sea bass I'd ever had I'd typically say sea bass is very light and buttery and just falls apart as soon as you touch a fork to it. This fish seemed much more dense and heavy and not remotely the delicate flavor I'm accustomed to. The flavor was in fairness quite good. And the risotto OK but nothing special. I'm not sure we'll return given the prices compared to what we got. Maybe if we stick to the scallops...
(3)Drayton H.
Just had dinner here last Thursday, and it was wonderful as always. They always accommodate my request to sit at the window. I also love to bring my kids as the kids menu coloring sheet (crayons included) is great-my kids love the Kobe beef sliders. We brought my mother in law who has a severe MSG allergy, and I am pleased to say that none of their entrees have MSG. We loved the rainbow trout and lobster risotto. Some of the other reviews said it didn't have enough lobster, but ours had two claws plus tail meat-each bite shared amongst the table had lobster in it! Our favorite part were the huge chocolate chip cookies with ice cream for dessert. The phyllo wrapped brownie was also divine!! Great place to take visiting family-service is always excellent and very reasonably priced when you have a large group to feed. Highly recommend eating here!!
(4)Sue J.
Since its opening, I have been to Oceano several times over the years. I like the place because it's semi-causal for Clayton that I can walk in if I'm in the mood for fish/seafood. However, I've always been hesitant to write a review about it because it's one of those places that I'm ambivalent about. The seafood is cooked really well but the flavors and accompaniments are kinda boring. Nothing inventive or spectacular. Also, I went just recently, I'm surprised that since it's opening, the menu has pretty much stayed the same for all these years. For example, they have been serving the salmon, trout and scallops the same way since it's opening. You can do so much with those items and if you going to be one of the only seafood restaurants in town, you need change it up and showcase your seafood in a variety of preparations.
(3)Sarah S.
I enjoyed my shellfish sofrito. I didn't appreciate the upsell on every single thing our table ordered. The atmosphere is fine. The group tables leave you fighting to NOT be the one stuck in the middle with the table at your stomach and a pole between your legs. The server was fine (other than the upsell) and the prices, while high, seemed reasonable for seafood.
(3)Aaron S.
Oh, Oceano - I really wanted to like you. I wanted to like you so much, that I was willing to overlook my, "only eat seafood in states that border oceans" rule. I had been waiting for the right time to visit, and when I recently found a $40 for $18 offer on a local foodie website, I happily pulled the trigger. Wow, was I disappointed. For starters, my girlfriend and I shared our dinner with several fruit flies. It wasn't just our table either. I noticed another table swatting flies as well. I was willing to overlook this, because minus the flies, the atmosphere in Oceano really is quite nice. Let's move on to the drinks. Our server took our drink order professionally enough. My girlfriend ordered a cranberry and Absolut. When the drink arrived it was mostly Absolut. The server knew the drink didn't look right, because when she set it down she said she could add more cranberry if it were too strong. It definitely needed it. Rather than take the drink back and try again, the server brought a second glass with cranberry juice in it. So now, we have to play bartender and mix our own drink at the table. We began our meal with two appetizers - oysters on the half shell, and marinated tomatoes and halloumi. The oysters were fine. Not much control a restaurant has over raw shellfish, just buy good quality and put it on the tray with some ice. I had no complaints. The other appetizer was an interesting dish. In addition to the halloumi and tomatoes, it contained grilled watermelon, arugala, and some aged balsamic. The dish had a lot going on. I couldn't understand why the tomatoes got top billing, when there were two giant pieces of grilled watermelon on the plate. Anyway, if there are any would be BBQ chefs out there - don't grill watermelon, it doesn't taste good. For dinner, I ordered the Sauteed Herb Crusted Sea Bass. No complaints about the emulsion or risotto, it was quite good, but the fish is where things started to go wrong. If the name of your establishment contains the word Ocean, the fish had better be stellar. Sea Bass should be a touch on the firm side - this was not. The fish was almost soggy. The flavor was OK, but the texture was way off. My sea bass was also missing its Herb Crusted jacket. My girlfriend ordered the Rainbow Trout. First, the fish was bland. Second, it was lightly pan fried. Nowhere in the menu or in the server's description of the dish was it mentioned that the trout would be pan fried. Had she known, she would have ordered something different. The flavor of the fried batter overwhelmed the already bland fish. Given our experience with the meal, we decided to skip dessert. Our server brought the bill, and this is where things really went downhill. My coupon clearly stated that it could not be combined with other coupons or offers. I understand, and it makes perfect sense. The coupon, however, didn't say anything about method of payment. I chose to pay with a gift certificate. The server came over and said that it was not allowed. I asked to see the manager, who came over and explained that a "gift certificate" is technically an "offer" and that it was the rules of the coupon - his hands were tied. I felt like I was arguing the definition of "is" with Ken Starr. When it became obvious that the manager was not going to accept the gift certificate (something which Oceano had already collected the money on when it was purchased, mind you), we paid and left. If it had just been one of the previously mentioned grievances, I could have justified a second visit. But, after mediocre service, poorly prepared food, and an argument with management, I am content letting Oceano be the big fish that got away.
(2)Raheel L.
This weekend, I dined at the piscine's establishment, with few places across St. Louis claiming to have fresh sea food, I choice the "Oceano Bistro." Oceano Bistro is parallel to one of my favorite contemporary American cuisine in Clayton "Cardwell's at Clayton," on the north brentwood. The ambiance of Bistro is warm and has a welcoming feel, the attire recommendation is casual yet formal. The noise level is moderate enough to carry on the conversations. But let's get to the part that deserve a little more attention, yes, the menu. "Oh, and if you see any crab cakes, get your hands on some because I love the crab cakes." Yes, you guessed it right, that is a Vince Vaughn quote from 2005 comedy film "Wedding Crashers." The film makes quite a few references to crab cakes, and what's not to love about crab cakes? They're phenomenal. And speaking of crab cakes, the appetizer round started off with, you guessed it right, crab cakes. And they were ambrosial - two crab cakes with shitakes, green apple and watercress with lemongrass chile aioli. The lemongrass chile aioli was acerbic to gustatory, and it went phenomenally with the cakes. Our second appetizer included, Bistro Mussels finished off with white wine, shallot, and tomato/roasted garlic mariniere with bruscetta, and they were palatable. Now moving on the the entree round. When out dinning at piscivorous institution, all things eaten should be sea related. So I ordered Poeuget Sound Monkfish for my entree round, it was lean white fish, saporific with lobster flavor. It was succulent, and the texture of the dish was enchanting. Some other entree recommended were - jumbo sea scallops, trout, and few more which I can't recall, and we all were happy with our food here. Some salads were tried, they didn't turned out to be great, I personally didn't ordered any salad, and nor did I order any desserts. I am not big on desserts, I always skip that part so I wouldn't know what to recommend to finish off the meal. Overall, the Oceano has great food, the service is good. On a busy night, expect it to be slower than usual and little loud. Oh ya, it is pricey, it's not your neighborhood Red Lobster prices, or the food. I don't speak for the other reviews and their experiences here, but as far as I am concern, having visited this place before, and again this weekend, I will visit it again.
(4)Glenn M.
This restaurant was highly recommended, so when in St. Louis, I made a point of stopping for lunch. My first warning should been the low proportion of seafood items on the lunch and dinner menus. I ordered the "Maryland crabcakes" for an appetizer. It was an insult to any Marylander. It didn't even resemble any kind of crabcake that I'd ever had. No strands of crabmeat, let alone lump or backfin crabmeat. Was entirely filler. As my mother, who was with me exclaimed "this is mush!" Would have not even qualified as poorly made deviled crab. Was shockingly bad!. We politely returned it (our waitress was very accommodating) and ordered fritto misto. It was properly fried (not greasy), but the only pieces of seafood in it were obviously scraps from other dishes. Incredibly tiny morsels! Then we had the lobster risotto--another disappointment. The flavor of the risotto was delicious, albeit slightly over salted (and I'm a person who usually loves salty dishes more than most). The shocker was the sparse amount of lobster. Only about 4 or small bites per full serving. Again, shocking! Used to upscale restaurants in the Washington, DC area, I'm used to small servings, but not with a such a stingy amount of the key ingredient. Also, the lobster had no flavor that I could discern. Maybe the problem was that we were ordering a dinner item at lunchtime. But even so... Finally for dessert I had an apple cobbler. It was an interesting take on this standard dish, but not particularly delicious. Just interesting components that tasted merely okay. The only outstanding quality was the high price, which was high by standards in topnotch DC restaurants. I must have it an off day, otherwise I don't understand the popularity of this place. St. Louisans must be desperate for upscale restaurants if they are flocking to this poor imitation of one--and an overpriced one at that. And as for good seafood, I certainly couldn't find it. Why not head a few miles west to Bristols?
(2)Gaetano A.
Went here for brunch last Sunday with a "Meet Up" group of young couples new to STL. I had an omelette, and it was good. Our waitress was really nice, too. I'd give this 4 stars, but to me it's overpriced.
(3)Mary J.
One eats here but does not dine. Just good to know that walking in. Early dinner, w. my husband. Full lively bar. The hostess wanted to seat us in a number of not so nice tables, the place was almost empty, like why dont they just walk us to the nicest booth? anyway we got there. He had the clam chowder and liked it. I had the roasted pepper soup w. goat cheese, too salty not very flavorful, goat cheese ordinary. We asked what that swirly oil was that they put on the table: it was the color of very diluted tea. The waitress said it was olive oil mixed with "salad oil" : I asked what oil is that? she said vegetable oil. We asked for just evoo. What came back was barely any better, no aroma and NO taste whatsoever. Dull, dead and embarassing. What person who called themselves chef?? would put that stuff on a table. My oysters from VA were excellent and freshly scucked. I saved the sauce for my sliders: cooked rare as ordered. But a supppper thin slice of ordinary rugby cheese on top. Simple slivered salad covered w. nice sweet and butter pickles. Hus had mussels which were nice. I think stick to the fresh seafood here, less intervention from the kitchen seems best. The wait staff was very good.
(2)Cara B.
OK, I really don't care for the whole Clayton "scene" or whatever, but I loved Oceano. I thought the food and service was excellent, so I've got no complaints. I'm basing my review solely on the fact that really good, fresh seafood is hard to come by in St. Louis, and at my first visit to Oceano, it rocked. I didn't come here looking for a "trendy scene" or anything - I just came for good seafood. My friend and I hit up lunch here on a Saturday, which wasn't very busy. We both ordered a glass of wine, and the server brought the bottle over for us to taste before pouring us an entire glass - smart! Maybe it's just me, but I've never been to a restaurant before where they did that. Highly appreciated, and once again, smart. We started with the crabcake, which was awesome! The lemongrass-chili aioli that it sat on worked perfectly with the crabcake. I had the lemon-crab risotto, which was phenomenal! Seriously, I've been having dreams about it since. The lemon flavor was really delicate, and the risotto was so creamy. It was awesome! My friend had the grouper sandwich, which was surprisingly good - much better than you'd expect a group sandwich to be. All the flavors and textures there worked really well. We had no complaints with the service, which was always there when we needed it, but never bothersome with checking on us too often. The entire staff was friendly and helpful. Overall, an awesome experience that will hopefully be the first of many to come!
(5)Danielle R.
This restaurant is a great and rare mixture of a high end full service seafood restaurant combined with healthy local food. Everything was delicious and the waitress was knowledgeable about origins of the seafood and helpful with suggestions for the vegetarians in our group. The only negative is that there were no vegetarian entrees but there were plenty of appetizer and side dishes to choose from. I would recommend the chef put together a whole protein option for the vegetarian guests for this place to increase its billing as a veg friendly restaurant. The prices were more than reasonable for the quality of the food and service provided and most entrees were not served a la carte so you save on having to purchase sides. Overall there were no complaints whatsoever. The first Alaskan King Salmon of the season has just arrived so go there soon and enjoy.
(5)Maureen H.
Had read good reviews and liked the look of the place, so tried a Sunday brunch. Our waitress was prompt and pleasant but our Mimosas seemed to be only orange juice. The shrimp in my egg dish was only the small popcorn and had very little flavor. My husband had a version of eggs Benedict that was also pretty flavorless. Portions were small as others noted, although I wouldn't mind if it was great food. It's the only time we've been there so hopefully that is not the norm, but we were disappointed.
(2)Chris P.
Quite easily our favorite restaurant in St. Louis. Friendly staff and wonderful food. The Prawn app with the char grilled bread is spectacular. Also a big fan of the salmon BLT for lunch or the salmon atop a bacon wrapped potato pancake.
(5)Tyler D.
Had high expectations for fresh seafood We got frozen crab legs...literally. Sent them back and they fixed it no problem More glitz than anything(it's Clayton I guess) Will drive to Bristol's next time
(2)Natatia L.
I had mixed feelings about making a reservation here for the last dinner i was going to have with my parents before i returned to maryland (due to the mixed reviews on yelp) but it came highly recommended by a family friend so i decided to give it a try, and i'm so glad i did! maybe the mixed reviews are due to inconsistency on the restaurant's part but it was fantastic the night we went! i honestly can't think of a single thing to complain about, and that's saying a lot (don't dismiss me 'cause of all my 4 and 5 star reviews...i was yelping under my BF's account and i have no qualms about giving criticism when it's deserved). the restaurant itself is beautiful, offering a casual yet upscale atmosphere that is warm and welcoming. you don't have to dress up but you might feel too casual in a t-shirt and jeans (unless they're a nice t-shirt and jeans). our server, melissa, was really sweet and provided excellent service, even pouring my parents' hot water for them out of their little individual tea pots (i was a server, i know what a pain it is). they have a special seafood trio offering on sunday nights that includes smaller portions of three of their more popular dishes - sea scallops (2), salmon and sea bass - all on one plate and with their respective sauces/sides, for $25. i ordered the trio along with a cup of their daily soup, a cauliflower-potato bisque with crispy pancetta and fresh herbs which was DELICIOUS. i could have had a bowl of it with bread and been very satisfied. my dad also ordered the trio and my mom got the halibut off the regular menu. every single piece of seafood was seasoned and cooked perfectly, and the sauces and sides that were paired with each were also excellent. even the asparagus-corn lemon risotto that came with the sea bass was great, and i have VERY high standards for restaurant risotto. many many many bad experiences with restaurant risotto. the portions were perfect for all of us - i was just able to finish everything after having my cup of soup and my parents were "just right" when they were done. i've rarely seen my parents enjoy a meal so much or clean their plates so well! they also served their toasted rolls with olive oil swirled with harissa (n. african chili paste that apparently is the 'flavor' of the moment) which was an especially delicious addition to the standard bread+olive oil/butter at most restaurants. like i said, nothing to complain about...both my parents loved it, i loved it, and we will definitely be going back next time i'm in town. my parents enjoyed it so much they might not even wait for me! they'll probably go back for lunch sometime with friends...let's just hope it lives up to the expectations set by this first visit!
(5)Munsok S.
this time around...it was much better. try the portobella mushrooms!!
(4)Cee E.
I dined here about three weeks ago with my parents and beautiful girlfriend. The service was great....the food was even better and the owner came over and talked to us for a bit. We felt very welcomed and everyone was extremely satisfied upon leaving. I would highly recommend restaurant for anybody looking for an independent seafood joint.
(5)Brice D.
Fried mixto was bad, salad was browning, sofrito was okay, crab cake was left half eaten, good sorbet.
(3)Patrick N.
our first and only trip to oceano was on a friday night. we had a 7:30 reservation, and arrived a few minutes early. we checked in with the hostess, and proceded to wait 30-40 minutes to be seated. this can be frustrating, but if the food and service make up for it, i find this to be a forgivable sin, especially during peak hours on a firday night. what followed however, was a disappointing display of both service and cuisine. our server approached shortly after we were seated, and asked if we wanted to start with cocktails. we obliged, my wife ordered a cosmo, and i had one of their specialty mojitos. the server made a comment to me, making it clear he thought it was a femine drink, and he would never order it. he then said "give me a bud and a shot of jameson, and i am good to go." WTF, no one asked for your drink preference buddy. the drinks came, and they were both quite good. we still had not been served water, so we actually had to request some. at this time, we also order our appetizer, the kobe beef sliders. we sipped on our cocktails, and the sliders arrived about 8 minutes later. at this point we still do not have water, so i ask again, and am told they are low on water glasses, and he would have to go look for some. SERIOUSLY? how does this happen? we start on on the kobe sliders, and they actually turned out to be the highlight of the night. very very good. i should have just ordered a whole plate of these as my entree. finally, after the sliders, and before our entrees, we are brought water. i was having the salmon, so i ordered a glass of pinot noir. my wife asked the server for a wine to pair with her scallops, and his reply shocked us. he said he didn't know, as he does not drink wine, and then repeated his line about bud and jameson. this is a restaurant that serves dishes for $20+ al a carte, not exactly fine dining, but at this price point, it is inexcusable for the waiter to not be able to spit out a wine pairing for each dish. we have a decent enough wine knowledge to make the choice without help, and ordered her a glass of chardonnay. so the entrees arrive, and service aside, if they are good, the night will be salvadged. my salmon was not bad, but there was nothing special about it. i have cooked salmon that tasted just as good on my george foreman grill. my wifes scallops on the other hand, were awful. the only flavor either of us could detect was a burned flavor from the grill. they were still very tender, and in my opinion were not overcooked, they just had a very strong grill taste. as our waiter cleared our plates, he complained to us about the "shitty tip" he had received from a table near us that had just left. if the service he provided them was on the same level as what he provided us with, he certainly deserved it. we both ordered dessert, and i honestly dont remember what we had, so that should give you an idea of what i thought of them. overall, oceano made us wait for a table, wait for water, and provided us with poor service and lackluster food. we have no plans to return.
(2)Tor B.
Hmmm.....Oceano Bistro, pehaps your ship has sailed! Just got home from dinner out at Oceano. I am not particularly picky about my dining experiences, but I do know the difference between good food, and something average. This as my first trip to Oceano, and I am not impressed. The "scene" was interesting, all the locals looking for a "see and be seen" opportunity. Not sure if I will go back. The food and service were not worth the trip.
(2)Shaun A.
Let's face it, excellent seafood is tough to pull off in the midwest, especially if you prefer the saltwater variety. I may be a little biased hailing from the sunshine state though. Oceano makes a good attempt at putting together unique and tasty offerings...there were at least 3 items on the menu that caught my eye. For starters I had a bowl of their house made clam chowder that was "okay", though nothing that blew me away in terms of flavor. Looking back, I'd pass on the soup and have a bowl of Campbells at home instead. I ordered pan seared scallops and paired that with a mushroom & squash risotto which was probably some of the best I've ever had. Prices are a little high for quality/quantity of food, though the presentation was excellent (presentation probably lending itself to the higher price). I will say that service at the restaurant is stellar, the staff are very attentive and quick on their feet.
(3)Lindsay S.
The service was terrible-- very slow and we had to ask for EVERYTHING. Moreover, my meal-- grouper sandwich and chowder-- was thoroughly bland. The affordability at lunch of this otherwise expensive restaurant gave it a few bonus points.
(3)Juliet R.
This restaurant came highly recommended, and my mom will be mad at me for this review, but the truth hurts. We started with the Ahi roll which was tasty, creative...a hit. Caesar salads are my fave, so I ordered it and was disappointed at the almost sweet quality of the dressing. Give me white anchovies and lemon, please, I don't want a sweet caesar. The highlight the meal were the grilled scallops with truffle beurre fondue. I ordered a side of spinach sauteed with garlic and organic bacon (sounds delicious, right?), but tasted as if it had cooked in day-old bacon grease. I couldn't stomach more than one bite. Aside from the food, the ambience was great, we had superb service, but really I'm all about food. I'll take a snotty waiter anytime if the meal makes up for it. Not the other way around. Sorry to say I won't be back and I wouldn't recommend spending your hard earned benjamins here.
(2)Cheryl E.
Had the halibut. All ingredients were very fresh. "Cleaned the plate good."
(4)Raya K.
Came here for lunch about a month back and had the snapper fish tacos. They had an overly powerful spice rub on them and even that couldn't mask the fishiness of the fish. For being a seafood restaurant I would hope that they could at least have fresh fish to serve.
(2)Aaron J.
The Oceano Bistro is one of those restaurants when people ask, "where should I go for... brunch, lunch, or diner " the answer that you can give them when they ask one of those meals and refer them to the Oceano Bistro. In reality though, I have only been to the Oceano Bistro for brunch and lunch. Though, from my times eating there and being more than pleased with my meals, I would venture to assume that their dinner is quite tasty as well. The last time that I was there was for lunch. I had the Red Chile Rock Shrimp Chop Salad. It was wonderful. It had all the salad favorites plus prosciutto and hard cooked eggs. The salad was nice and tasty.
(4)Margo C.
The food was wonderful - fresh, full of complexity, inventive but not self-consciously so, seasoned beautifully. The ambience subtle and charming. But the service! If I've ever been attended to by a more professional, personable and helpful server (Gary, I believe), I don't remember it. One of our party was vegan. The manager came up with some amazing options for her (usually they just say "Well..um....we can steam you some vegetables or something.) He, too, was personable and professional, as was every staff member we encountered from the valet on up. Portions were generous, menu diverse but not overwhelming (and the frito misto absolutely sublime.) I always expect that much-hyped restaurants won't live up to the chatter but this one exceeded it. More restaurants should hold themselves to this standard.
(5)Matt L.
I was pleasantly surprised with what Oceano had to offer. Sure, the food wasn't perfect, but I think it was one of the best meals I've had since I arrived in St. Louis. The only issue I had was that there was a very strong aftertaste with the scallops...yes, I know that it's due to the wood that they use in the cooking process, but I think it ruins what are some otherwise great scallops (texture was perfect!). That's all I've got. Like it. Will go back.
(4)Megan R.
Maybe its unfair to judge this place based on my experience there last August, but I'll never go back, and it left a lasting, terrible impression. First, the food - it was fine, nothing extraordinary, nothing special. The calamari appetizer was far too spicy. The entrees were bland and unexciting. I love good fish, but this just didn't do it for me. In Clayton, you can do far better at Cafe Napoli. The service was the real problem. A restaurant shouldn't expect people with reservations to sit outside (or on an unairconditioned open air area) in 100 degree heat without telling them in advance. The server should never ask patrons to stand up from their table so to make room for another table (not guests, the actual table) to get brought in, and it certainly shouldn't happen twice. An ice bucket should be offered with a bottle of white wine (especially when its so hot out). The ambiance isn't too great either. It almost feels like a chain restaurant with all the booths. It gets quite loud, and there was no real separation between the dining room and the bar. At the time I visited, the hosts hadn't yet figured out how to schedule reservations so people were often waiting - with no where to wait. This is not the place to take someone to impress them.
(1)Boki H.
We went there last winter having a farewell lunch with another couple. It was very noisy. The soups were EXTREMELY salty, I couldn't even finish one third of it. Can't remember now what I had for entree, but I'm sure it was not that impressive because we decided not to go back again.
(2)Ellen S.
First, the service was fine. The appetizers (Prawns with provencal saffron relish, garlic aioli; amber glazed flatbread with caper cream, wild greens and fennel) were excellent. We ate every crumb of the starters and were eager for the main courses. The grilled salmon with apple fennel salad and bacon wrapped arugula cake was good, but not extraordinary. The grilled jumbo sea scallops were tasty but too salty. After the first two, though, the cumulative salt in my mouth overwhelmed any other taste: I was drowning in the sea. Perhaps that is why I could detect no trace of the white truffle flavor that the beurre fondue (i.e. cup of melted butter) was supposed to have. The ambiance was okay, the service was fine, but for the price, we wanted more from the food.
(3)Mari S.
The food was excellent. All our dishes were fresh seafood. We loved the crab cakes. We would go back again.
(4)Brad B.
This place has great food. I had a loooong lunch there consisting of several appetizers and enjoyed it thoroughly. Subtle flavors and awesome seafood make for a lovely culinary experience. The staff is helpful and friendly. The environment modern and sleek, yet comfortable. Highly recommend the tuna appetizer. I was suspect of the large number of seemingly "ladies that lunch" present at this place but, then again I'm suspect of the entire of St Louis....so....I guess its par for the course.
(5)Robert A.
I sat in the bar at a table. The atmosphere was pleasant and comfortable. The bartender was in charge of serving tables in the bar and seemed to be having a little trouble with prompt service, something expected at this price point. The managing partner of the restaurant noticed the lack of service and remedied the slow service by helping out himself. I had the yellow tail ceviche and pacific oysters an an appetizer. the ceviche was served sashimi style and covered in a lemon butter sauce, rather drowned in sauce. I was barely able to locate the fish under this heavy sauce. The fish was cut so thin it tore when i attempted to eat it. I was left with no option other than to scoop it up and eat it heavily sauced. The oysters were served on the half shell with a cocktail sauce and what tasted like a lemon garlic butter sauce. The sauce I assume had a seafood broth in it because I kept getting pieces of shell from the sauce that had to be picked from my mouth. I would suggest staining the broth before incorporating it into the dipping sauce. The oysters were fresh and delicious, although the preparation was left undone. They apparently forgot oysters are attached to the shell and did not cut the connection leaving me to tear them loose with a knife. Once again not what you would expect at this price point. For the main course I ordered the Halibut. It was perfectly cooked but lacked any seasoning. It was bland and underwhelming. It was served over a vegetable ragout, in this case over cooked rubbery haricot vert with corn and baby mushrooms. The main course portion size was scant at best. I am guessing no more than a four ounce piece of fish which I took a picture of if the management care to reply to my post. The whole meal was overpriced and under portioned. The service was mediocre and I would not go back.
(2)Ellen L.
My husband and I ate at Oceano Bistro for the first and last time this weekend. What a disappointment. The décor is pleasant if bland. Likewise, our server was pleasant but the service was not particularly great. At this restaurant you order everything a la carte. We only received one set of sides when our main dishes arrived instead of the two orders we had placed. By the time we managed to flag down our server and get the side dishes, we were both done with our main dish. To be fair to the restaurant, we were not charged for the second set of side dishes. Now on to the food. Our Caesar salads were generous and very tasty. The rolls and olive oil/harissa? mix were great. We both ordered the grilled jumbo sea scallops which were perfectly cooked. However, the accompanying white truffle beurre fondue had absolutely no mushroom flavor at all. We both ordered the grilled seasonal vegetables. The red onions on my plate were essentially raw, and while the grilled whole red pepper was beautiful, it was too hot for either of us to eat. We both found the roasted garlic potato puree to be WAY too heavily salted. For the money, we like Bristol's a lot better.
(2)Marley H.
I recently went here for my birthday dinner because this is one of my favorite places. Their food is exquisite, and the place is pretty big. Their potion sizes are perfect for a great meal, and if you are getting an appitizer, I strongly recommend the muscles!!!
(5)Tracy A.
Good fish, not great. Had a Zinfandel which was nice but not terribly memorable. Went on mother's day. Our waiter was great and attentive (not to mention very attractive). I started with some oysters which were decent but not too flavorful (as to be expected by seafood in STL). We split the salmon flatbread which everyone seemed to like but I thought was just eh. We all had the seafood trio for our main course and it was tasty but nothing to write home about. I wouldn't rush back, but if you're looking for seafood in St. Louis its not a horrible choice.
(4)Scott C.
I'm surprised by the mix of reviews on Oceano Bistro. I went there with a group from work. My wife and I had wonderful meals. We had the Blackened Big Eye Tuna appetizers. The tuna was perfectly cooked and very good. My wife had the Sea Bass while I had a steak. The steak was cooked just the way I asked. It was a good cut and had a lot of flavor. I tried a bit of my wife's Sea Bass and it was very good as well. The service was good but, it was a large group so the gave us our own server. Since that night, I have gone back twice more for lunch. The Tuna Burger was enjoyable (needs more wasabi but, maybe that's just me). The Steak Sandwich was awesome.
(4)Brian W.
great!
(4)Fred M.
Went to Oceano, again, for Happy Hour with friends. Super service, great food, and pleasant atmosphere. We love it!
(4)John T.
Had dinner there this evening with my wife, daughter, and my daughter's new roommate's mother. We all enjoyed the experience. Waitstaff very friendly and attentive. Appetizers and entrees were great. Sadly, we skipped dessert because we were full Oceano will be on our list to return to when we visit our daughter during her years at WUSTL Enjoy!
(4)Christy A.
Oceano is a great date night spot. The ambiance is cozy and the seafood is fresh and well prepared. Service was pleasant and the array of dessert options were awesome. I enjoy an open kitchen style restaurant because it makes me feel like I'm part of the process lol.. Located in Clayton across from Cardwell's and connected to City Coffeehouse & Creperie. Valet parking is available.
(4)Laura H.
Two nearby brunch places had hour+ waits because Sunday, so we decided to give Oceano a try. We were seated at a window table, which perfectly blended the views and open air of a sidewalk seat with the comfort and privacy of an interior seat. Service was attentive and pleasant and our server gave great recommendations. I got the Crab Cake and Arugula Benedict (Atop poached eggs, hollandaise, chipotle aioli and crispy prosciutto) and it was fantastic. The breakfast potatoes were great: well-cooked, well-seasoned, and mixed with onions and peppers for a good taste and texture. There were a ton of things on the menu I want to go back to try. At $30 for brunch and coffee for two, it's more affordable than the $$$ (perhaps those are dinner prices?) would lead me to believe.
(4)Danielle J.
We love this happy hour. Huge glasses of good wine for $5 and good menu choices. Tonight we had dinner for the first time. We shared the fennel dusted and pan seared scallops. They were outstanding. Service is always fantastic and servers and other staff are vey friendly.
(5)David D.
One of the best dining experiences we've had in a loooong ttime. Fresh and deliciously prepared seafood in the heart of the heartland, you say with thinly veiled skepticism? Darned right... Great seafood, creatively prepared and presented. Locally sourced options (not for the seafood, natch). Our server was absolutely outstanding. Well prepared, friendly, attentive, and none of the all-too-oft-heard "are you still working on that??". Two messy thumbs (after releasing some prawns from their armor) WAY up....
(5)Patt C.
My girlfriend and I went for lunch yesterday. We went a little early on purpose, and were surprised at the number of open parking spots at the corner of Brentwood and Maryland. There are no meters in this particular area of Brentwood, so you have to find the "Pay Station," pay for parking by cash or plastic, then put your receipt on the driver's side of your dashboard. I've never done this before, but it worked beautifully, and we had a princely parking spot. This restaurant is divinely elegant, sparse, clean, great colors and fabulous angles. David was our server. Before we dove too far into the menus, he acquainted us with the off-menu offerings. This is a good thing in my book. I don't want to study a menu, make a selection and THEN be told about off-menu offerings which tempt me into indecision. As it turns out, we both got the same thing: the off-menu soup -- butternut squash soup ($5/cup) -- and crab cakes from the appetizer menu ($14). David asked if we wanted the soup first or everything to come out at the same time. We opted for soup first. He timed it beautifully. The butternut squash soup was spectacular, great flavor, wonderful texture, and smitten with candied pecans to give a crunch to this otherwise soft soup. The flavors blended so beautifully and were so autumn-ish. It was not long before the crab cakes (remember, this is listed as an appetizer) came out. Such a beautiful presentation. THREE crab cakes -- this size I've never seen before -- an inch tall and perhaps 1/2-inch diameter. A sauce drizzled over the crab cakes. A different sauce in the bottom of the plate. Dressed with an arugula/fennel/roasted red pepper salad. The two sauces were sherry butter and chipotle aioli. But there was nothing HOT about the chipotle aioli -- for those who are averse . . . including me. The crab cakes were mostly crab -- the way they should be. Tender, flavorful and so enticingly enhanced with the two sauces. Somebody in the kitchen knows their stuff. We both ate one crab cake. And it was time for to-go vessels. My girlfriend ordered (to take home) the pasta primavera off-menu offering. She ordered it before we had our food, so they could be firing it in time for our departure. And the timing was too close to perfect. I took home my two splendiferous crab cakes with both sauces for another meal. David was a spectacular server.
(5)KT M.
Came here with a friend, not knowing too much about this restaurant-omigosh, every single thing we ordered was amazing!! Started with heirloom tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar and topped with goat cheese, then some grilled peaches which were to die for, followed by some wonderful Alaskan salmon-it was an absolutely perfect meal! Oh yeah, and the bread (also great, nice & crusty)came with a house-made red pepper reduction with olive oil...just trying to figure out when I can go again!!
(5)Brad C.
Steak and seafood was good. Cocktails came out quick and service staff was knowledgeable. It would be a good place to celebrate something special with minimal lead time for a reservation.
(3)Fab S.
Free bread served with olive oil, nice atmosphere whether you like casual or more intimate, the dining space is large enough to accomodate any occasion, mostly professional crowd at lunch or happy hour... what else can you ask for?! . I've gone to Oceano over a dozen times for lunch with coworkers and never have I been disappointed. They hire very good servers with high knowledge of the menu and attentiveness. I give them 5 stars mainly because of the service, I noticed in various restaurants, when it is super busy, the servers are overworked. Oceano has this under control and handles its crowd very well. The crabcakes are legit! They are so deliciously warm and served with some creamy sauce that takes them to another level. Whether you get them in a sandwich, or on their own as an appetizer, you can't go wrong with it. In my opinion, Oceano serves some of the freshest seafood I've had in Missouri (Bristol does a great job too). The Maryland crabcakes run for about $13-14 I believe, you get 2 nice size cakes that are very filing. A sandwich cost a little less than that. I've also had numerous salads which were always fresh and crispy. Depending on your topping the salad may cost you up to $15 at lunch. Happy hours are very good as well in terms of pricing. I don't have any complaint about this spot, It is one of my favorite in Clayton. Lunch, happy hour, dinner, you can't go wrong with Oceano!
(5)Grace S.
I love this place. Great people, great food, and the restaurant is super cool. I'd totally recommend the Fennel Dusted Scallops, with the Tuna Roll to start. Their staff was super friendly, but not overly present. Just a generally great place to eat some fresh food.
(5)C Z.
Awesome food. Went for Sunday Brunch great surprise. Great value. Got the Trout, Cesar salads do the Chocolate Brownie in Phyllo AWESOME food and service. great surprise in St Louis
(5)Jennifer C.
Clayton Restaurant Week, YES! What better time to visit somewhere I've never been and get 3 courses for $25....disclaimer...I spent more than $25 by the time I added an adult beverage and a scallop special. haha. Anyway, I settled on the Maryland Crab Cakes, Grilled Salmon and the Bread Pudding. Awesome meal! I enjoyed every single bite of my selections. They offered scallops added to any meal and I had to do it. Just as good! The Pink Pearl cocktail washed it all down, oh yes! The restaurant wasn't as big on the inside as I thought it would be, but it is warm and inviting. Service was impeccable! Their bread is served with olive oil and a roasted red pepper puree. Don't turn your nose up, it's great!
(4)Rocco D.
This place was suggested by the manager of the Homewood Suites Galleria a mile down the road for its awesome sea food. I am usually wary of "land locked" sea food since Missouri is a ways from the ocean but I was not disappointed at Oceano Bistro. I had an ample balsamic house salad that was larger than I expected for a small sized portion. Then I moved on to the lunch Grilled Trout with sautéed Asparagus, Eggplant and Tomatoes over a light but slightly sweet proprietary sauce that made this dish really sing :-) I finished it off (as per my server ZACH's request) with the Filo Brownie which by itself is a good reason to visit this location. A warm, gooey real fudge brownie (not that cake-y stuff that they serve at lower rent places) wrapped in filo dough and deep fried then garnished with Serendipity (of NYC) Brand Vanilla Ice Cream then smothered in more chocolate (and vanilla?) sauce! Amazing finish to a spectacular meal. The best part is that it was exactly the right amount of food! I left feeling satisfied not stuffed! I will come here again when in town :-)
(5)Margaret D.
My husband and I had dinner here Sunday Evening. Delicious! We started with the calamari appetizer, cooked perfectly, served with 2 sauces...a spicy, chipotle, and a sweet. I had the seafood soffrito, probably my favorite meal anywhere. Mussels, shrimp, scallop over a risotto cake in a tomato broth! My husband had halibut with risotto....Both entrees were presented well & tasted very good! We will be back soon!
(5)Connie L.
I came here for a late weekday lunch and about half of the tables were occupied. Our waiter was super disorganized--we spent a huge chunk of time waiting for our waiter to come by so that we could order our entrees and get the check. The food was only satisfactory for the price of each dish. Overall, I wasn't too impressed.
(3)Don S.
A terrible marriage of great food and disgusting wine service. On the recommendation of a managing partner from a local CPA firm we decided to dine at this establishment. Food was great. Wine was beyond a joke - it would be called hilariously bad if it improves. The server rated a z minus The sommelier a c- First of all we ordered a chateau montelena 2010 cab. They presented a European white we sent that back. They then presented a 2011 and argued it was just as good. We challenged the sommelier and he relented that we were correct ( we do at least 5 visits to Napa annually). we ordered the chimney rock 2009. It was too warm I asked them to cool it. She ignored the request and poured it anyway. I complained 3 times and was ignored until the sommelier came. His solution. Put my glass in refrigerator. Really. They brought it back later. Cold glass and all. Not bothering to pour into new one. When emptying the decanter she poured the wine all over the table and my glass and despite requests did not even change the glass. The 2010 we poured ourselves. I chastised the sommelier. He apologized profusely and said we would get substantial discount on the problem wine. .... Anyone else would have written it off. I told that staff needed training as this was an embarrassment. We got the bill. A whole 25 taken off each bottle. Truly sad The sommelier was nowhere to be found. Truly a Mickey Mouse wine operation. Not to be taken seriously. I would recommend that money be spent elsewhere rather than wasted here. Unless you just want a coke with your meal.
(2)John G.
Just happened to be in Clayton tonite Dropped by Oceano where they had a 3 course special benefiting a charity I selected the spinach salad, salmon entrée, and bread pudding desert All superb choices!! Salmon perfectly prepared with a super whole grain mustard sauce Great surprise on a Sunday night after being on road for 2+ weeks and restaurants non stop It had been too long since I'd been to Oceano. Great visit!
(5)Morris N.
Parking around here can be tough sometimes. I was lucky enough to find street parking within a block and didn't have to feed the meter after 5pm which was a bonus. Reservations are recommended as even during weekdays it can get busy. The service was pretty good. The prices are a little high but was on par with what you'd expect for this type of restaurant. The food was awesome. I had the mussels and seafood chowder for starters. For my entree, I had the sea bass. I would definitely recommend giving this restaurant a try.
(4)Wendy E.
The service is great. The food is fresh. The drinks are great. Make a reservation if you plan to visit, just to be sure. The lobster omelet for brunch is a great choice. I also like the rainbow trout a great deal. And the starter ahi tuna rolls are perfection. I appreciate how much they do with vegetables here... not so many carbs filling the plates! But.. oh.. the one carb to not miss are the warm sourdough rolls. Nice bathrooms. Not too loud, if you are looking for a quieter setting.
(4)Jennifer K.
this place has the best scallops! I've had them numerous times and they are consistently excellent! it has a great bar area that overlooks the cooking area and great wine list.
(4)Michelle B.
happy hour at oceano is still the best! the coconut shrimp is incredible, best crab cakes and super tasty calamari! extremely friendly bartenders. will make you any cocktail you want. go and leave happy!
(5)Leslie S.
Our server Edward completely made our first dinner experience here perfect! I think I walked away saying he had to have been one of - if not THE - best restaurant server I have ever had. What a pleasant tone and cadence to his voice - just makes you feel at home. After making reservations, we arrived and were seated in the restaurant near the windows as per our request. We didn't realize the happy hour specials were only valid in the bar area, but I think Edward sympathized with us and/or could tell we were newbies to Oceano, so he talked to manager Brady and got approved to allow us happy hour specials this time. (I remembered everyone's names, because everyone was so nice, and I wanted to be sure to recognize them in this review!) 1) Happy hour martinis were ice cold for $5; happy hour starters were 1/2 off 2) Crab cakes are the most popular app, but in a restaurant like this, try one of the fresh, raw starters - Blackened Big Eye Tuna rolls were unique and quite tasty. 3) The scallops were divine - 4 large scallops w/ an incredible beurre fondue topped w/ truffle oil ($24) 4) The Grilled Atlantic salmon was delicious atop a bacon-potato cake ($26) 5) We had the Grilled Season Vegetables (half price for happy hour off the starter menu) as our side - another Edward recommendation 6) The Companion bread with oil is unique and very good, but be careful - it's filling
(5)Cece A.
I was looking for a nice place for my mom's birthday. I had heard this place had great seafood and so I made reservations online. Stepping in, the place certainly looked classy. We ordered mussels as an appetizer; they came in a delicious flavorful white wine broth that I just had to dunk my bread in. For our entree, I chose the herb crusted sea bass with risotto. I really enjoyed my dish; the fish was perfectly flavored and the risotto was a great example of comfort food. Portion size was fine as well-I finished it and was pleasantly full. My mom had the steamed shellfish soffrito, which was shellfish in a smooth seasoned broth with risotto. The main thing that made our night less than enjoyable was our waiter. He was pretty MIA from start to finish. He did show up once to ask how everything was. Since we were on our first bite we just said everything was fine. However, my mom's dish was a little too salty for her and while she wasn't sure if there was a way to make it less salty, I went ahead and flagged down the waiter. When I asked if there was anything they could do for it (as opposed to re making it), he said "Well, I assumed you guys liked the dishes because you said everything was fine." It was such a weird and unnecessary comment that it threw me off. He almost sounded argumentative although my mom and I had merely asked a question rather than complain about the saltiness. In the end someone else (manager?) came back with an altered dish and it tasted much better. Overall, good food but honestly probably wouldn't come back. The waiter just left a bad memory that even the food couldn't save.
(2)Sheryl M.
This place is near work and has a nice menu. It is reasonable for lunch but i think dinner is a bit pricier. Service is always excellent. It was a bit ago that I was there and i am just now writing the review. I had a nice lunch and we sat in the tables by the windows that open so we got a great breeze. It was also fun watching people as they walk by and there is lots of that in Clayton.
(4)Mary P.
Great seafood, but a little too pricey for my tastes. I understand that seafood is a more expensive item to serve, but $32 for halibut? And a tiny portion of it? Delicious plating, though...and the harissa in the oil for the bread was a nice touch. My husband really loved his sea bass. Crab cakes were good, too.
(4)Brent Z.
3rd time here and another great visit. Sat at the bar during happy hour. Service was excellent and the bartender was very attentive. I got the grilled salmon and the vegetable appetizer which was on happy hour. Both were excellent. They have good happy hour specials. Half wit wheat beers were $2 and half priced select appetizers. They also have some other beer, wine and liquor specials too. Street parking is free after 5, but sometimes hard to come by.
(5)Wendy T.
Ocenano is a great place for lunch, especially if you decide on window seating! The staff is extremely courteous, and their voices are so soothing :P Bread from Campanion was served with a oil mix-- 75% vegetable oil, 25% olive oil) with the orange part being Oceano's version of harissa (Tunisian chili sauce). We really mopped the harissa up, yumm! When the seafood chowder was placed on the table, and our table immediately smelled like seafood. The cup portion literally came in a cup, and it was garnished with the same orange color, probably the harissa. One bite, and a wave of seafood hit me-- strong taste of squid and mussels :) The grilled Atlantic salmon lunch was gorgeous. The salmon dish consisted of grilled salmon and a potato cake wrapped in bacon, topped with fennel and Granny Smith apple slices, all drizzled with a sauce. The menu touted a fennel and apple "salad," but I don't think you can call that a salad. If you're looking for moist, oiled salmon, this is not the type for you. This seared version was a little too charred for me, but the bf liked it a lot. The potato cake had the same consistency and taste of mashed potatoes. I think the whole dish iskind of a random jumble of stuff: salmon, mashed potatoes, bacon, apple, and fennel-- but hey, if it's delish, it works! Om nom nom~ ^^ The Lemon Crab Risotto is so photogenic, super colorful, also with the orange harissa. The Lemon Crab risotto definitely had the lemon flavor, but the only crab to be found was the little tuft garnishing the risotto. And the meat was pretty loose and stringy, not that much flavor-- boo... But the crab aside, this risotto is super delish. The dinner menu is about the same, although the prices definitely soar upwards, so I think lunch is a good time to sample what their menu has to offer. :) The food is not only flavorful, but they also really make an effort to satiate the eye too. They also sell the normal and seafood (think salmon BLT) sandwiches and have brunch on Sundays. Also, Oceano Bistro is right next door to Cityhouse Creperie. Their door is closer to Maryland Ave, in case you're like me and walk straight past the door a few times ;)
(4)Shannon C.
My boyfriend and I visited Oceano for the first time last week and we were incredibly pleased by the level of customer server we received. While the ambiance of the restaurant didn't seem like anything special, our waiter is credited with making up for it ten fold by making 5 star recommendations with his own touch of personality and conversation that will keep us coming back - I only wish I could remember his name. My boyfriend and I started off with the Mussels as an appetizer which were delectable. The waiter recommended the seafood chowder to my boyfriend, which he loved and I had the spinach salad per our waiter's recco, which was also delicious. Being a newbie with exploring seafood, the waiter recommended I have the Scallops, which he said would be the best I would have in St. Louis. They were a bit spicy given the hint of red pepper sprinkled in the delicious sauce on top of a portabella mushroom, which is right up my alley. My boyfriend had the Sea bass which he said was better than he has had in the past. Overall, great food, great service.
(5)Jo M.
Visited during Clayton July restaurant week and all 5 of of us left HUNGRY. Don't participate in restaurant week if you are planning to serve 3 appetizers, one sweet. Ridiculous to spend that much money on wine, prosecco, drinks and have to head to Whole foods to feel full. Especially when 3 of the party are 5'2" small women.
(2)Sandi C.
We came here during restaurant week. Place was very busy, decor is nice and warm, hostess was very nice. Ordered from the restaurant week menu. We were served with immediately with warm bread and olive oil mix with roasted bell pepper & garlic puree. Bread was very warm, crusty outside and warm inside. Appetizer we all opted for: Maryland Lump Crab Cakes: crusty outside, lots of crab meat, excellent! Entrees: Grilled Altantic Salmon Salad: salmon was nice and moist, pretty good Spiced South Pacific Big Eyey Tuna: didn't try, but only 3 pieces Warm Water Seabass: served with risotto ... risotto was a little overcook, lack of the chewy texture, seabass was very good Dessert: Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee: extremely tiny, size of k-cup (ok, maybe a tiny bigger) Dark Chocolate Phyllo Browie: served with vanilla ice cream ... love the pastry warp around the brownie, nothing wow. Overall, ok ... this is really a restaurant week portion. A friend came here last year for their restaurant told me, Oceano really shrink-ed the portion.
(3)Paul G.
Again, so good! In town to visit family. Amazing dinner. Come here every time. Food excellent, service on point! Dave is amazing. There when you need him. Recommendations spot on. And when you're not feeling his first recommendation, totally open to helping you with more choices. Was a great night. Will be back many, many times.
(5)Morgan H.
Came here during restaurant week for the $25 three course meal. It was AMAZING. Crab cakes were fantastic. The bread was good. The salmon I got was cooked perfectly. The dessert was good. Our waitress was great. Overall wonderful experience :) Will definitely be coming back.
(5)Melanie W.
It was an outstanding dinner. The Warm Water Sea Bass on Risotto was perfect. Everyone at the table loved their food!
(5)Abby S.
Oceano Bistro is one of those spots in Clayton that you sort of forget about until you drive right by it... That's not necessarily a bad thing, but since it hasn't been in Clayton as long as some of the other staples in the area (i.e., Cardwell's, BARcelona, Remy's). But I guess it has been on the corner of Brentwood and Maryland for awhile now, huh? Shows you how much I hang out in Clayton these days :) I came here a few years ago for a girl's dinner and the food was good. We shared a handful of small plates and drank a significant amount of wine. From what I remember the service was exceptional and the food was hit or miss. Generally speaking, I don't seek out seafood in the Midwest - once you've had the super fresh stuff from Hawaii, it's hard to go back. But I did meet up with two friends for a late-night drink last week and was glad that we met here. Again, the servers here go above and beyond the normal call of duty. The bartender even let us hang out once everyone else had left. The bar itself is very pretty - perfect for catching up with friends or a post dinner drink. And yes, they do serve food late, which most spots in Clayton do not! Go here if you haven't already. Or come back if you've forgotten - it's worth your time.
(4)Tzachi Z.
Oceano is a great addition to the St. Louis restaurant scene. It is a year old, and in that year i was there about 6 times. They have certainly adapted and improved. Their bread is baked fresh. At the beginning it used to be quite oily, but now the diner controls the oil. Last night we had a great experience, again. This begins to be our favorite restaurant. The calamari were fabulous and the halibut, great. The pork chop (16 oz.) was delicious. The owner is friendly and cares for each customer. It is a nice touch. The decor is modern and pleasant. Overall, i expect this place to last.
(5)